What secrets will your local beach reveal? BY MELANIE MOSHER
The mystical world of sea glass Sea glass, also known as beach glass, drift glass, mermaid’s tears, and sea pearls, is glass which has been tossed and turned by the ocean waves, wearing off sharp edges, making unique shapes, and creating a frosted appearance. Broken trash which has become eagerly sought-after gems for collectors, artists, and beach walkers. Our North Shore, a coastline abundant with beaches, is also a worthy source of sea glass. While most collectors are not willing to share their favourite spot, information makes its way to social media and into conversations. Some hot spots include Northport, Pugwash, Cape John, and Chance Harbour. Any beach has potential for treasures but knowing the history of an area can increase your odds of picking the right location. Was there once a dump nearby that could be a source of glass? Were there ever rum runners in the area who may have dropped their cargo? Did manufacturing companies who made electrical insulators or used glass containers for their product operate nearby? Were ships sailing the waters carrying stoneware or passengers with perfume bottles? Sea glass comes in many colours, some easier to find than others. The most common are white, once clear glass, green, and brown. Rarer are blues and yellows and the hardest to find are red and orange. Shades can vary depending on the age of the glass or how long it’s been tossed or “cooked” by the sea. Minerals added during the manufacturing process such as manganese in clear glass make it appear lavender when exposed to light. Knowing a lucky spot for “glassin’” does not always mean success. Like the changing of the beach with each tide, the occurrence of glass can vary. As the tide ebbs and flows, these gems can be dragged back out to sea or hidden deep under the sand. Some collectors, called “diggers,” are willing to sit and search for glass buried below the surface.
Stories from the Seaside Many who comb the beach can recount a tale of finding a favourite treasure. A rare colour, their first piece named for a specific shape such as a marble, jellybean, egg, heart, or square, or a section of pottery with a meaningful inscription. Wendy Brown, a sea glass artist from Amherst, found a small section of an old Hemingray glass insulator with the letters “RAY” still The North Shore
ah! Summer 2021 - 10
