15 Fast Facts That Will Make You a Sea Glass Expert

The art of sea glass hunting is a beautiful thing. That feeling you get when you’re strolling the sandy beach and all of the sudden a shimmer in the sand catches your eye. As you bend down to get a closer look you discover a beautiful piece of sea glass.

If you’re a beachcomber at heart, then you know that finding sea glass is a special treat. From the color to the shape, you never know what you might find and from where it may have come.

Let’s learn more about these pretty and unique coastal treasures before you embark on your next Emerald Isle sea glass hunting adventure. Before you know it, you’ll be a sea glass expert!

Sea Glass Facts

1. What is Sea Glass?

This is a great place to begin. Sea glass starts as trash from sources like bottles, jars, glasses, plates, windows, windshields, or ceramics that are smoothed over time by the tumbling action of water, waves, and sand. Sadly, oceans end up being a dumping place for all sorts of trash, whether from ships or from those who live near the sea.

2. How long does sea glass take to form?

Sea glass formation takes a long time, anywhere from five to fifty years! As pieces of glass soak in salt water and get tossed against the sand by the waves, all the sharp edges and corners become smooth. The pieces of glass also take on a frosted look due to the way the sand etches the surface of the glass.

3. Sea glass has many names.

Sea glass can be called many things, including mermaid’s tears, beach glass, sea gems, beach jewels, sea pearls, and drift glass. Whatever you call it, we can all agree it’s quite beautiful.

4. Sea glass and beach glass are not the same thing.

Sea glass is physically and chemically weathered glass found on beaches along bodies of salt water. These weathering processes produce naturally frosted glass. Beach glass comes from fresh water and has a different pH balance and a less frosted appearance.

5. White sea glass usually comes from clear glass.

White sea glass is one of the most common finds, because it’s usually made from clear glass that’s been tossed and turned by the waves until it gets frosty and white. Green and brown are also some of the more common sea glass colors.

6. White, brown, and green sea glass have something in common.

They all come from bottles! Unfortunately, there was a time when throwing a bottle overboard was no big deal. While it’s certainly not cool to toss trash in the ocean, those discarded bottles and jars end up battered and broken and eventually become beautiful glass “gems.”

7. Red and orange colored sea glass is rare for a reason.

Red and orange sea glass colors are rarer for two reasons. First, fewer things were made from those colors. Second, those fiery hues once required a colorant that was only derived from real gold, making them expensive.

8. Turquoise is the rarest color of blue sea glass.

Soft blue, cornflower, and aqua shades are less rare than some blues because they were used in medicine bottles, mason jars, and decorative pieces. Turquoise is the rarest blue sea glass and is very hard to come by.

9. Sea glass rarity charts can help you.

The most common sea glass colors are green, brown, blue, and clear. These colors tend to come from bottles of popular drinks, such as sodas and juices. The rarest colors are gray, pink, black, yellow, turquoise, red, and orange. These colors come from rare items such as old plates, wine bottles, and boat lights. Using a sea glass rarity chart can help you rank your sea glass findings by color and possible origin.

Here's an example of a sea glass rarity chart we made!

10. Sea marbles are really a thing.

In the past, marbles were used to balance the weight of ships and dumped overboard once the cargo was delivered. The marbles start perfectly round and smooth, but the abrasive elements at work and the pH levels in the water give them a unique look that can’t easily be replicated.

11. Sea glass is more scarce now than it used to be.

Today, sea glass can be harder to find than in the past. More people are collecting it, and many glass items have been replaced by plastic. Not to mention that there are more restrictions on ocean dumping these days (which is a good thing).

12. There is such a thing as fake sea glass.

Not all sea glass is the real deal. To meet demand, some jewelry makers and artisans create that weathered glass look by tumbling new shards with sand or treating them with corrosive substances.

A few tips for spotting fake sea glass:

• Avoid pieces that look a little too perfect (Color varies in natural pieces)
• Look at the price (The real thing will cost more)

13. You can try to replicate the look of sea glass in a rock tumbler.

Using different types of glass in a rock tumbler, you can create inexpensive versions of your own homemade sea glass. Unfortunately, true sea glass with its smooth, frosted appearance just can’t be duplicated by such artificial means. But it’s fun to try!

14. Sea glass hunting is popular on the beaches of Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

Just like hunting for sharks’ teeth and searching for seashells, sea glass hunting in Emerald Isle is a popular hobby for vacationers and residents alike. Up your odds of finding sea glass and other coastal treasures by choosing an oceanfront Emerald Isle beach rental, which gives you prime access to the beach each and every day. More beach time translates to more beach finds!

15. Sea glass collectors find many creative ways to display their finds.

Some sea glass collectors display their colorful finds in jars, some make their own jewelry, and some find other creative ways to display their collection. How would you want to display yours?

Book Your Stay in Emerald Isle Directly with Sun-Surf Realty!

Ready to hunt for sea glass? We can’t wait to see you out on the beach! After a day of searching, return home to the best accommodations in Emerald Isle when you stay in a Sun-Surf realty rental.

Whether you want close access to the beach in an oceanside rental or you want a pet-friendly property so you can bring your pup along, there’s something for everyone in our extensive catalog. Browse our available Emerald Isle vacation rentals today and book your stay directly with Sun-Surf Realty!