Sea glass, also known as beach glass, is found in one of my favorite places — the beach. These beautiful pieces of glass have spent a long time tumbling in the ocean or lake. Ocean sea glass typically has a frosted, pitted appearance due to the pH levels in saltwater, while lake beach glass has a smoother texture, shaped by its freshwater environment. Beach or sea glass is a treasure that anyone can find if they’re looking in the right place.
Sea glass comes in almost every color. White, brown, and green are the most common and easiest to find. We search for our Great Lakes glass along the shores of Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior. One of my favorite pastimes is scouring the beaches for that day’s special find.
The best time to hunt for sea glass is right after a storm. The waves often toss glass onto the beach, usually mixed in with the rocks. My favorite time to search is in the fall and winter. The beaches are quieter, though you’ll need to dress warmly — Lake Michigan can be a bit frisky during the colder months. If you’re lucky, you might even find rare colors like blue, purple, or red along the shores of the Great Lakes.
Puerto Rico is also known for its abundance of sea glass. We travel to places like San Juan and Aguadilla to collect glass along the Caribbean and Atlantic shores. It’s always a thrill to find a special red or blue gem hidden in the sand.
My favorite sea glass comes from Seaham, England. Seaham glass is unique because it can be multicolored. The Seaham coast was once home to several glass manufacturers, and at the end of each workday, leftover glass was dumped into the North Sea. The last glass factory closed in 1921, which means Seaham glass can be over 100 years old. I can only hope to be that beautiful if I reach a hundred! Seaham glass is often chunkier than Great Lakes glass and can appear in almost any color — in my opinion, it’s the most stunning sea glass in the world.
Our glass is not tumbled or reshaped in any way. We use a simple cleaning process, then drill the glass to make necklace pendants. We finish it with a light shine of argan oil to enhance its natural luster. It’s amazing how beautiful a piece of broken glass can become when kissed by Mother Nature.
If you want to search for sea or beach glass, I recommend doing a little research first — not all beaches have glass. If you find a promising spot, look for rocky areas. Once you develop an eye for spotting sea glass, you’ll be hooked. I promise!
