Beach glass starts as trash before becoming treasure. Where and how to find it in Erie

What starts out as trash over time can turn into a beachgoers treasure.

Beach glass is formed when ordinary glass items such as bottles, jars and other glass products, ends up in oceans or lakes though shipwrecks, littering, coastal dumping, storm runoff or erosion.

Once the glass is in a waterway, it breaks into smaller fragments due to environmental stress. Over time, the body of water acts as a natural tumbler and shapes the glass fragments into beach glass.

Joelyn Bush of Lake City made quite a find while beach glass hunting in May.

The fragments will get shaped through tumbling wave action, sand abrasion and chemical weathering. The process typically takes 20 to 30 years.

Is there a difference between beach glass and sea glass?

Multiple sources state that the terms can be used interchangeably. Beach glass is created in fresh water, particularly the Great Lakes, which is less smoothed or polished than sea glass. Beach glass is still smoothed by the tumbling in waves, rocks and sand and has a clearer appearance.

Sea glass is conditioned by the ocean water which gives it a more frosted appearance due to the chemical transformation called hydration.

Hydration occurs when the glass is submerged in the salt water and the sodium and calcium ions on its surface leach out. This causes ions to swap positions, altering the surface structure. This alteration, along with the physical effects of wave action and sand, creates the unique frosted and textured surface of sea glass. 

Is beach glass valuable?

The value of beach glass can fluctuate based on the demand and the current trends within the collectors community of artisans and gift shop owners.

The value of beach glass increases if the piece is a rare color or from vintage glassware.

By the Sea Jewelry determines the value of each piece to determine if it is worth selling as jewelry by several factors including color, grade, thickness, shape and individuality.

Where are some of the best places to find beach glass in Erie?

To find beach glass you will want to search on rocky shores.

Other areas in Erie that are popular for beach glass searches include Shades Beach, the foot of East Avenue, Walnut Creek access in Fairview and Freeport Beach in North East.

Helpful tips for finding beach glass

If you are on the hunt for beach glass this summer, here are some tips to help along the way from rockchasing.com.

• Go after a storm. Storms stir up the water and rearrange the beach area while uncovering spots where beach glass can be buried.
• Search during low tide. Low tide pulls the water back while revealing more of the beach and uncovering beach glass.
• Wear polarized lenses: These lenses cut down on the glare from the sun and make it easier to see the difference between regular rocks and beach glass.
• Go during the early morning or late afternoon: During these times, the sun’s angle is just right and makes the glass glimmer and easier to spot.
• Bring a rake or sand scoop: Bringing these tools can make a difference and can help you sift through the sand and pebbles. They can also help you cover ground faster.
• Check the high tide: Checking during high tide is where the highest waves stop and collect all sorts of things from the lake.
• Respect beach etiquette and regulations: Be mindful of the environment and the local rules that keep the beach safe and clean.

What colors are the rarest for beach glass?

According to Sea Glass jewelry by Jane, the beach glass color palette ranges from colors like orange and red to green and brown.

The most rare colors are orange, turquoise, red, yellow, black, teal and gray. Red is considered the rarest color of them all.

More rare colors include pink, aqua, cobalt and cornflower blue and purple.

The more common colors include amber, UV green, sea foam green, white and brown.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Beach glass starts as trash before becoming treasure. Where and how to find it in Erie