1)      What is sea glass?

Sea glass is glass found on beaches along oceans or large lakes that has been tumbled and smoothed by the water and sand.  This creating small pieces of smooth, frosted glass known as sea glass.  Sea glass is sometimes also referred to as beach glass, mermaid’s tears, and lucky tears.

 

2)      How can I tell if sea glass is real or man made?

Sea glass can also be produced artificially.  Rock tumbled glass is not the same as sea glass, since long-term exposure to water conditions creates an etched surface on the glass that cannot be duplicated artificially. The differences can be distinguished microscopically.

 

3)      What are the rarest colors of sea glass?

Rare and extremely rare sea glass colors include gray, pink (often from Great Depression era plates), teal (often from Mateus wine bottles), black (older, very dark olive green glass), yellow (often from 1930s Vaseline containers), turquoise (from tableware and art glass), red sea glass (often from nautical lights, found once in every 5,000 pieces), and orange (the least common type of sea glass, found once in 10,000 pieces.) These colors are found once for every 1,000 to 10,000 pieces collected. Some of the black glass is quite old, originating from thick eighteenth-century gin, beer and wine bottles.

 

4)       What are the most common colors of sea glass?

The most common colors of sea glass are kelly green, brown, and clear. These colors come from bottles used by companies that sell beer, juices, and soft drinks. The clear or white glass comes from clear plates and glasses, windshields, windows, and assorted other sources.

 

5)      What are some other names that people call sea glass?

Sea glass is sometimes also referred to as beach glass, mermaid’s tears, and lucky tears. These are just a few of the names.

 

6)      Where can I buy sea glass in bulk?

There are several websites that sell sea glass in bulk to the top jewelers, crafters and artists in the world.

 

7)      Where can I buy sea glass jewelry?

Sea glass jewelry can be from local jewelery stores that specialize in sea glass, or online. 

 

      Where are the best places to find sea glass?

Sea glass can be found all over the world. However, the beaches of the Northeast United States, Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Maine, Nova Scotia, The Chesapeake Bay, California, and Southern Spain are famous for sea glass.

 

9)      What is the best particular time to find sea glass?

The best times to look for sea glass are during spring tides and perigean and proxigean tides, and during the first low tide after a storm.

 

10)   How can I make my own sea glass jewelry?

Sea glass can also be produced artificially by using a rock tumbler.  Rock tumbled glass is not the same as sea glass because long-term exposure to water conditions creates an etched surface on the glass that cannot be duplicated artificially.

 

11)   How much is sea glass worth?

Sea glass various in price based on its color.  Common colors include kelly green, brown, and clear. Rare and extremely rare colors are gray, pink, teal, black, yellow, turquoise, red, and orange.

 

12)   Is there a sea glass festival?

The Sea Glass Festival is taking place in Erie, Pennsylvania October 17-18, 2009.  This colorful, two-day event is filled with exhibits, vendors, lectures and the Shard Of The Year Contest.