Beach Combing for Sea Glass, Collecting Mermaid Tears

Beach combing a fun activity that is free and collecting can be lots of fun. Beach combing is when you walk along the beach looking for things that are interesting and unique. like shells, polished rocks, sea tumbled wood, and my favorite sea glass and sea pottery. Sea glass is glass that has been thrown into the ocean, broken up and tumbled by the waves. The ocean turns broken glass into smooth etched gems in all colors. I have heard sea glass referred to as mermaid tears. If you are not interested in collecting sea glass but would like to see it. A great place to visit is Glass beach in Fort Bragg California. The beach used to be a public dump. 30 years of waves has turned this beach around. Now the shore is coved in sea glass. Glass collecting is prohibited here.
Collecting is not the only thing you can do with sea glass. Sea glass is used in decoration, jewelry, sun catchers, mosaics, candle holders, and ornaments. Jewelry is the most popular usage for sea glass. Sea glass can make beautiful one of a kind jewelry. Sea glass jewelry can be vary expensive to buy. There are many sites that sell sea glass jewelry including ebay. Etsy.com sells sea glass jewelry and many other things made from sea glass.
Sea glass its self can be valuable. Sea glass collecting can be a great way to earn a little bit of extra cash. People who make jewelry are willing to pay good money for unique, and rare colors of sea glass. I was surprised when i came across people selling sea glass on Ebay. The going rate I've noticed is about a dollar a piece for sea glass and about 2 dollars a piece for sea china. I've been collecting glass for years i had no idea that washed up glass had a value.
The problem with buying sea glass is that there are many dishonest people who tumble there own glass and make fake sea glass. Then they turn around and advertise it as genuine sea glass. This devalues the worth of genuine sea glass. There are ways to spot real sea glass. Sea glass will have irregular shapes and smooth rounded sides. The entire surface of the glass will be etched and frosted there will be tiny C-shaped pits. The C-pits are almost impossible to duplicate. Also watch for words and traces of the origin of the glass. Some dealers that sell fake glass will just buy glass in sheets to create. If the sea glass seller warns about putting the glass in a fish tank or handle with care that is a sign the glass is fake. If the glass is being sold in mass quantity that is also a sign the glass is fake. Sea glass is rare and some colors are vary rare. The best way to know if the glass is genuine is to pick it up your self.
Colors, determine the value of your sea glass. The most rare and most valuable color is orange. Followed by warm colors like reds, pinks, and yellows. Then the cool colors like greens blues and purples. The most common colors are kelly green, clear, and brown, These most likely came from jars and beer bottles.
Rocky beaches are the best place to look for sea glass. Finding a piece of glass on a sandy beach is rare. Just after a storm is a good time to look when the water has been tossed around more.
If you are interested in DIY sea glass jewelry http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/jewelrybeachse_szdl.htm has great directions on how to make your own sea glass bracelet. I also found a really good blog that teaches you how to DIY Bezel set sea glass to make you pendant necklace that is beautiful. http://accentyourself.blogspot.com/2008/04/bezel-set-sea-glass-pendant-tutorial.html
Glass collecting can be lots of fun. I like the sea pottery the best because is has designs and words. I have found pieces with palm trees and sail boats on them. I take all my favorite treasures from the beach and put them in a clear fish bowl. It makes a cute unique display that didn't cost me a thing. Sea glass can be great for going green, Cleaning up the beaches, and DIY decorating a crafts that did not cost you a thing.