mineral
Sea Glass
Amorphous silicon dioxide (glass)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color varies widely but in this image is a pale sea-foam green/blue. Luster is dull to frosted due to weathering. Lacks a crystal structure (amorphous). Displays conchoidal fracture if broken.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color varies widely but in this image is a pale sea-foam green/blue. Luster is dull to frosted due to weathering. Lacks a crystal structure (amorphous). Displays conchoidal fracture if broken.
Formation & geological history
Human-made glass (like bottles or tableware) discarded into a body of water, physically tumbled by waves, sand, and stones, and chemically weathered by salt water over decades.
Uses & applications
Collected as a hobby and frequently used in handmade artisan jewelry, crafts, and home decor.
Geological facts
True sea glass takes 20 to 50 years (and sometimes upwards of 100 years) to acquire its characteristic texture and shape. The frosted surface is a result of structural changes as trace elements leach out of the glass.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive frosted, pitted surface ('C' shaped marks) and smooth, rounded edges. Found on shorelines of oceans and large lakes globally. True sea glass feels distinctively different from commercially tumbled artificial 'sea glass'.
