Pure Sea Glass - Chapter Summary ( See full descriptions below)

1. History In The Sand (pp. 4 – 11)

The first chapter informs the reader that there is far more to a sea glass shard than meets the eye. It includes information on why certain sea glass shapes are more common and why some colors are so much harder to find.

2. Locating Sea Glass (pp. 12 – 25)

This chapter answers assorted questions of where and when to look for sea glass. It includes details on predicting weather patterns and unique tides that create ideal conditions for the next hunt. Surprisingly, it also presents reasons why the “off season” is so attractive for sea-glass collectors. The reader can discover where and when to look, and what parts of the beach yields the best results.

3. Conditioning And Weathering (pp. 26 – 41)

This scientific part of the book explains why frosted pieces of sea glass truly are gems. While many think sea glass is only tumbled into its soft form, the truth is specific environmental conditions and the type of glass both contribute to the level of corrosion. During the corrosion process elements are leached from the glass that crystallize on its surface. Anyone who loves to learn will thoroughly enjoy this chapter. Microphotography taken specifically for this chapter displays the unique features of genuine sea glass.

4. Glass History (pp. 42 – 47)

Chapter 4 provides a brief background on the history of glass. This sets up the next four chapters, which focus on late 19th century, and early 20 th century glass. It is glass from these periods that produce the best sea glass. Special attention is given to distinctive inventions and their dates.

5. Colors (pp. 48 – 101)

Celia Pearson’s masterful photographs capture our spectacular sea glass collection in ways that words cannot describe. Charts profile groups by overall rarity and each color is listed in specific order of rarity. Background on what elements were used to produce each color is presented since often the cost, or instability of a colorant contributed greatly to its rarity. In some instances shards that were once clear glass develop color after direct exposure to sunlight. These provide great opportunities to date sea glass by color.

6. Bottles and Containers (pp. 102 – 151)

Bottles account for most of the sea glass found today. This section provides an extensive study on bottle glass because it is so important to the identification process. The history behind American made bottles prior to 1900 is so fascinating this chapter may generate a number of new collectors into a hobby with under-valued art.

7. Tableware and Utility Glass (pp. 152 – 181)

This section provides extraordinary background on turn of the 19 th century glassware that is found occasionally as sea glass. These often carry distinct patterns, colors or shapes that can lead to easy identifications by an astute antique collector, or the owner of this book. Sea glass and ceramics from tableware offers such a vast array of unusual colors.

8. Flat Glass (pp. 182 – 191)

Windows, windshields, mirrors and stained-glass panes are each covered in this section. The history behind flat glass is quite fascinating as churches and Victorian homes added a bit of color to otherwise dull, clear window glass. Flat glass beach shards are often discovered in soft blue or soft green colors.

9. Marbles, Insulators and Bonfire Glass (pp. 192 – 199)

Since each of these forms of glass can be found from time to time it was prudent to discuss some of the history behind marbles and insulators. Many sea-glass collectors also enjoy finding pieces of bonfire glass (also called campfire glass).

10. Appraising Rarity (pp. 200 – 207)

This chapter includes a comprehensive review of how to assess the overall rarity of a specific piece of sea glass. Though color is important, there are other factors such as condition, type and age that can make an apparent average shard quite rare.

11. A Rapidly Vanishing Bounty (208 – 220)

From rising sea levels, to an array of mistakes made by man’s attempts to hold back the sea, all the elements that are making sea glass scarce are covered in this section. This is a tribute to our glorious coastal environment and those who wish to protect it.

Pages 221-224 Museums/Bibliography/Sea Glass Collection Log