Finding Sea Glass

[Former_Member]

Do people have any thoughts on "real" sea glass vs the kind that is produced?

I live on Long Island and Ive managed to find some but it seems to keep getting smaller. To me, the natural stuff seems nicer, but maybe they are both the same?

Any tips for finding the real deal?

[Former_Member]

here are my best tips-

Look up old dump sites (online) and follow the maps! 1950s and older, when a bunch of old glass was being dumped near or into the ocean. explore!

:)

check out my beach glass!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119909172/hawaiian-beautiful-thick-clear-beach

https://www.etsy.com/listing/108799823/hawaiian-aqua-blue-emerald-green-clear

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112356665/hawaiian-extremely-rare-cobalt-blue

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107052954/hawaiian-gorgeous-aqua-clear-beach-glass

[TheSaltyShell]

There is a considerable difference between manufactured and natural sea glass-

sea glass from the ocean tends to have a cloudy almost milky color and is much smoother than manufactured glass bits. Also, manufactured glass sometimes has unnatural ridges or discoloration that clearly show it hasn't been tumbled about in the sea for a few years! Hope that helps!

[TheSaltyShell]

If you have a free minute, please check out my sea glass pendant necklaces in my shop! Thanks!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/120136372/mint-sea-glass-pendant-necklace

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/120210614/hawaiian-purple-and-white-cone-snail

https://www.etsy.com/listing/118160173/hawaiian-rare-lime-green-beach-glass-on

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107052954/hawaiian-gorgeous-aqua-clear-beach-glass?ref=v1_other_1

[N2Beadz]

I've always lived in Virginia Beach, VA and visited the NC and FL beaches often. As a child my family spent almost every weekend on the VA or NC beaches enjoying the various entertainment offerings. I've never found broken up looking sea glass on our beachs. Yet I use to find a sand blasted bottle or two every now and then on the NC beaches. Recently we've been vacationing on the Gulf Coast beaches of FL. I've not come across any beach glass while shell hunting there. I do come across many jewelry makers discussing their sea glass finds on the WA and OR coasts. Guess it's all about location, location, location where the natural finds are.

[SallyTCrispCreations]

I have had lots of luck on a park beach across from the city of Baltimore. So maybe the centuries of people dumping trash in the bay accounts for it. I wonder if you would have luck if you found a similar site across from a large city or town that is on the water. Most of the glass has been light green, brown, clear or some aqua.
My big exciting find was actually a rim of a decorative plate with a design painted on it. I found it on the beach my the Atlantic. It was worn very smooth on the edges so it was in the ocean for many years. If only it could talk!
Sally Tia

[Former_Member]

I think it definately helps if you are near a large population. It's very rare for me to find seaglass here, but my mother, who lives in Edinburgh, finds loads of it there. Also, be careful, most of what I find is coming from an old dump that was in the dunes behind the beach - it's not been in the sea long and a lot of it is still pretty sharp.

[Former_Member]

Those are great ideas about looking for the dumps! never would have thought of it. We seem to have different things on the North and South shore of LI.
I'm going to do some research now! It's a great material to work with.

[julsofparadise]

After beachwalking for years, I just found my FIRST piece of beach glass! YAY! It actually looks like it has chicken wire inside the glass. I just dont know what to do with it other than consider it my lucky charm!
I often find glass at the dog park, but thats because the park was built on a land fill. Now thats glass of a diferent kind!!