In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in collecting sea glass. Sea glass is glass that has been discarded in bodies of water and spent tens, even hundreds, of years being naturally smoothed and polished by the sand and waves. Once it reaches the beach, it has been transformed into beautiful gem-like pieces that are admired, collected, and even used in art and jewelry. If you are ready to start your own collection of sea glass, here are a few tips for getting started.
First, do some research. Look into the history of the coastlines near you. See if there are any factories or bottling companies near the shores. Often, they would dump excess glass and bottles into the ocean just to get rid of them. Areas near factories are some of the best sources of sea glass you can find. Also beaches near ports or other heavily trafficked sections of the coastline provide prime searching areas, because of the debris dumped overboard by ships. Searching near the mouths of rivers and streams can also be fruitful, as any glass dumped upriver may get deposited in these areas.
Once you have a good beach picked out, try to choose a day with clear skies forecast. Bright sunshine can make the sea glass sparkle, helping you spot it. Start your search along the high-tide line, where the debris piles up, and look for areas with lots of smaller pieces of stone and seashells. It’s best to go over the same stretch of beach in both directions, as pieces can be hidden from one angle. If you find a pice of sea glass, search the nearby area carefully, as often sea glass is found in clusters.
These tips should help you start finding your own sea glass. Once you find some sea glass, take a moment to admire it. You are holding a unique piece of history in a beautiful form.
