mineral
Green sea glass (likely bottle glass)
Man-made soda-lime silicate glass; not a natural mineral
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTranslucent green, smoothly frosted, rounded edges, and vitreous luster; hardness about 5–6 Mohs, amorphous with no cleavage. The uniformly curved, worn shape and bubble-like texture are characteristic of tumbled glass.
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Physical properties
Translucent green, smoothly frosted, rounded edges, and vitreous luster; hardness about 5–6 Mohs, amorphous with no cleavage. The uniformly curved, worn shape and bubble-like texture are characteristic of tumbled glass.
Formation & geological history
Formed industrially by melting silica sand, sodium carbonate, limestone, and colorants, then naturally abraded and frosted by wave action or artificially tumbled. It has no geological age or natural rock-forming process.
Uses & applications
Used for jewelry, mosaics, crafts, and decorative objects; valuable mainly for attractive color, thickness, provenance, and naturally beach-worn surfaces.
Geological facts
Green sea glass commonly derives from beverage or wine bottles and may owe its color to iron or chromium. Genuine older sea glass usually has a matte, “sugary” surface and consistently rounded edges.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by translucency, conchoidal fracture remnants, lack of crystals or cleavage, and a frosted surface; natural pieces are commonly found on wave-exposed beaches near historic settlements. This specimen appears more likely tumbled or artificially weathered than a natural mineral.
