Sea Glass Rarity
As one meanders along the shore, the sight of shimmering sea glass pebbles adds a touch of magic to the coastline’s natural beauty. Sea glass, once discarded as mere waste, has, over time, been smoothed and frosted by the restless motions of the ocean.
The Rarity of Sea Glass Colors
The journey of sea glass shapes it into a precious gem of the sea. One of the most intriguing aspects of sea glass is its vast spectrum of colors and their rarity. Each hue tells a story of the glass’s origin and the time it spent adrift in the waves.
Sea glass, also known as beach glass or mermaid’s tears, originates from discarded glass items that are tumbled by waves and weathered over many years. Its desirability and rarity are influenced by several factors, with location and historical context playing significant roles. Below, we’ll discuss the rarity of sea glass from the common kelly green, to the elusive orange sea glass.
Location and Proximity to Old Sea Glass Factories
Industrial Impact
Locations near old glass factories or dumping sites are more likely to yield higher quantities of sea glass, and more rare colors. For example, certain beaches near old glass factories or places that historically served as communal dumpsites are often prime spots for sea glass collectors. These factories or dumpsites would sometimes discard their unwanted or broken glass items (some quite rare) directly into the sea, leading to a high volume of sea glass over time.
Wave Activity
The amount and type of wave activity can influence how much sea glass is tumbled and ends up on shore. Stronger waves may bring more sea glass to the shore, while gentler waves might mean less sea glass accumulation. Wave activity changes from season to season, so there may be certain times of year when sea glass is more plentiful than others.
Population Density
Areas with higher human populations (especially in the past) may have more discarded glass items, thus increasing the potential for sea glass formation. You will typically find more common colors in these areas.
Which Colors of Sea Glass are Most Rare?
Rarity charts are a way to categorize sea glass based on color, thickness, age, type, and other qualities. The rarity of sea glass can differ based on the chart and the specific locations where a collector searches. Here’s why:
Regional Variations
Different areas have different types and colors of glass that were popular or available at certain times. For example, in an area where a specific cobalt blue bottle was produced in large quantities a century ago, blue sea glass may be more common than in other regions.
Collector’s Experience
A seasoned collector might categorize and evaluate sea glass differently than a novice. An expert might know to look for distinguishing features like bubbles, thickness, or frosted appearance to determine the rarity and age of a piece.
Specific Beach Histories
Each beach or coastal area has its own history. A beach near a former bottle factory might have a higher concentration of specific colors or types of glass. Meanwhile, another beach frequented by tourists in the early 20th century might yield different types of sea glass associated with the products popular among vacationers at that time. This is evident at beaches like Seaham Beach in the northeast of England where multi-colored sea glass is more plentiful, as is black glass. Whereas it would be very rare to find a sea glass multi on a beach in Florida.
Ultimately, the value and rarity of sea glass are subjective and can vary depending on a collector’s personal experiences, knowledge, and the specific locales where they search. However, understanding the history of a location, its industrial past, and the types of products that were popular or produced nearby can offer hints about what types of sea glass one might find.
My sea glass rarity chart (pictured below) is one I created based on my sea glass hunting experience of over 10 years in Europe and the U.S. Each piece shown in the rarity chart comes from my personal collection.
Breaking Down Sea Glass Colors and Their Rarity
Common Colors
White (Clear)
This frosted, opaque shade speaks of versatility. Originally coming from myriad sources—be it soda bottles, vases, or window panes—the sheer prevalence of clear glass products in the last century makes this a ubiquitous find. The charm lies in its simplicity and its metamorphosis from transparency to a milky hue due to relentless weathering. Many of the more desirable whites are the ones called “bubbles” due to their bubble-like shape. These are usually very old, thick pieces that have been tumbled by waves for a century or more. Most modern clear glass isn’t thick enough to become “bubbles.”
Kelly Green
This shade typically comes from soda bottles from mid-century, or more modern beer and wine bottles. Each fragment tells tales of past celebrations and everyday life. Kelly green sea glass is typically not as thick as older glass because it comes from more modern beer and wine bottles which are much made out of much thinner glass than older bottles from the 19th century.
Brown
The earthy, deep warmth of brown sea glass whispers tales of frothy beers, sodas, and perhaps old medicine bottles. Its ubiquity stems from the vast production of brown glass in the 19th and 20th centuries, chosen for its ability to block sunlight and preserve contents. Most of the brown sea glass found today is from modern beer bottles. In the Mediterranean one is able to find older, thicker brown pieces that came from older bottles.
Uncommon Colors
Pale Green
This soft, pastel hue often stems from earlier periods when natural ingredients like iron were used as colorants in glass production. Each shard might have once been part of a windowpane, gently filtering sunlight in a bygone era, or perhaps a delicate bottle holding a fragrant perfume.
Pale Blue
Evoking the serenity of clear skies, this calming shade often heralds from older soda bottles or sometimes window panes from coastal homes. This subtle hue is one of my favorites and I usually keep these for my personal collection.
Amber
This rich, deep hue exudes an antique charm. Think of old beer or medicine bottles or protective eyewear. Its deep translucence was perfect for preserving contents, shielding them from the harmful effects of sunlight.
Lime Green
With a hint of zest, this color speaks of the vibrant 1960s. It can often be associated with decorative items or soda bottles of that era, reflecting the lively and energetic spirit of the times.
Rare Colors
Cobalt Blue
Deep and mesmerizing, cobalt blue glass hails from early medicinal and poison bottles. Their striking hue was not just for aesthetics but served as a warning sign.
Gray
Subtle and smoky, gray sea glass may have been part of thick industrial bottles or older smoke-colored household items. Each piece speaks of elegance and a hint of mystery.
Teal
Straddling the line between green and blue, teal brings memories of tropical oceans and lagoons. Originating from older bottles or ornate window panes, teal pieces carry an old-world charm combined with tropical vibrancy.
Pink
A delightful surprise on shores, pink can come from sun-faded red glass or manganese-rich clear glass that has turned pink over extensive sun exposure. Every shard feels like holding a delicate blossom petal.
Golden Amber
Richer than its amber counterpart, golden amber sea glass carries an almost regal aura. Often sourced from special ornate bottles or vintage glassware, they shimmer like buried treasure.
Cornflower Blue
Evocative of wildflowers under clear skies, this hue can be linked to decorative items, soda bottles, or sometimes even rare medicinal bottles from the early 20th century.
Citron/Chartreuse
A refreshing shade that lies between green and yellow, citron might have been a decorative bowl, a vase, or unique tableware, bringing a splash of vibrancy to daily life.
Aqua
With hints of the sea and sky, aqua-colored glass often comes from older bottles, capturing the essence of calm beach days and clear horizons.
Lavender
This soft, dreamy hue is often the gift of time. Clear glass containing manganese, when left for decades under the sun, acquires this gentle purple shade. This is where most “lavender” sea glass comes from.
Extremely Rare Colors
Turquoise
Turquoise sea glass is a very rare color of sea glass, distinctive from other blues by its almost electric color. It originates from older glass items, particularly from the early 1900s and before. The color was less commonly used in mass-produced items, often being found in art glass, ornate bottles, and window panes. It was created by using small amounts of cobalt along with copper or iron. Due to its limited use and distinctive color, finding turquoise sea glass is considered a unique find for collectors.
Purple
True purple, deep and regal, suggests luxury and rarity. They often hail from specialty items, perhaps ornate bowls or decorative glassware. Another source of purple is the bright color found in Neodymium. Neodymium glass was produced throughout the world in the early 1900s, after Alexandrite crystals were discovered in 1885 and neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) was used to colorize glass. The interesting thing about Neodymium is that it changes color to a pale blue under fluorescent light and to a more pinky color under direct sunlight. The only place I’ve ever found Neodymium is on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.
Yellow
Yellow sea glass, especially the bright lemon yellow, is another extremely rare find. Often derived from tableware, ornamental glass pieces, and some older bottles, these sunny treasures are a delightful addition to any collection.
Orange
Fiery and radiant, orange sea glass shards are true rarities. Often considered the rarest color of all, orange sea glass most likely originated from decorative tableware or unique art pieces. It was created by adding the chemical element cadmium, together with selenium, to produce shades of orange. Silver compounds can also result in orange glass.
Red
Finding a piece of red sea glass is akin to discovering treasure! These rare gems come from early 1900s automobile tail lights, ship lanterns, and certain decorative glassware. Due to the high cost of producing red glass, fewer items were made with this color, making it a rare find on the shores.
Black
Deceptively dark, black sea glass often appears deep olive or yellowish green under strong light. These remnants of thick bottles from as early as the 1600s, add a touch of antiquity to any collection. Black glass is often called “Pirate Glass” due to the common use in the era of pirates. When a ship would go down, so would all that black glass, washing up on shores centuries later. They look so similar to pebbles on the beach, that they are extremely difficult to identify.
The spectrum of sea glass colors is a manifestation of our history, art, and industrial evolution. Each piece, be it common or rare, holds a tale, waiting to be unraveled and cherished.