mineral

Sea Glass

Amorphous silicon dioxide (glass)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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.

Identified July 26, 2026More mineral →

Explore Sea Glass in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

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'.