Beach Glass

"I'm jealous," Rick said when he saw the cache of beach glass I picked up yesterday. "You found all that today?" And, while it was true that I found some amazing pieces yesterday, before I was, literally, sidetracked by a seal, today, nada. And that is the nature of the hunt.

We are not alone in our pursuit of the elusive gems that are the unique by-product of, well, litter. Over 5,000 enthusiasts from all over the world gather annually at the country's largest sea glass festival in New Jersey.

Gathered over two winters...
See that purple piece...rare

As hard as it is for me to fathom, my husband is an even bigger aficionado of beach glass than I am - even though he is not a guy ordinarily known for his attention to detail - and has developed a keen eye. "I'm going 'glassing,' " he tells me, having developed his own vocabulary for the pursuit. He calls rejects "immature" pieces and prizes what he calls "jewelry quality" glass.

In Rick's parlance: "immature" beach glass

That blue piece..."jewelry quality"

One of yesterday's finds, frosted by seawater, which has a higher pH level than fresh.

Given the transition of glass vessels to plastic and aluminum, as well as heightened environmental awareness, it's increasingly hard to find these jewel-like bits and pieces, but here a few tips:

Fall and winter are the best months. (Something about the nearness of the sun and the effect on the tide)
Look at low tide.
Follow the tide line.
Keep the sun at your back. (It glints off the glass, making it easier to see.)

"Just don't tell them where we find it," Rick says to me. In all seriousness.