Mineraloid
Sea Glass (Frosted Quartz/Glass)
Amorphous Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 5.5-7 Mohs; Color: Frosted white/clear; Luster: Vitreous to dull/frosted; Crystal Structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: Conchoidal; Specific Gravity: 2.4-2.5
- Hardness
- 5
- Color
- Frosted white/clear
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull/frosted
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5.5-7 Mohs; Color: Frosted white/clear; Luster: Vitreous to dull/frosted; Crystal Structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: Conchoidal; Specific Gravity: 2.4-2.5
Formation & geological history
Formed through the physical and chemical weathering of discarded glass in saltwater or freshwater environments over 20-50 years. The constant tumbling by waves and sand creates the frosted surface via a process called hydration.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry making, decorative arts, and as a popular item for beachcombers and collectors.
Geological facts
Genuine sea glass is becoming rarer as plastic replaces glass in packaging. The frosting is caused by pitted surfaces where minerals have leached out of the glass over decades in high-pH salt water.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for a frosted, non-shiny surface with rounded edges and small C-shaped pits. Common on rocky or high-tide coastal areas near historical trash dump sites.
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