THE HISTORY OF BERMUDA’S SEA GLASS

TAKE HOME A PRECIOUS KEEPSAKE BY ONE OF THE ISLAND’S LOCAL ARTISTS.

EXPLORING BERMUDA’S pink-sand beaches for washed-up treasure is a pleasurable pastime, and, along with softly muted shells and little creatures living amongst the sargassum seaweed, beachcombers wandering the beaches of Bermuda can also expect to find well-worn pieces of glass in pastels of green, turquoise, and blue.

Although most of the glass comes from human sources, some of the pieces of sea glass that have ended up on Bermuda’s shores are remnants of the island’s nautical history, including the island’s bleak past as the site of many shipwrecks. These ships are likely to have held cases of liquor, medicine bottles, and decorative glass, which were tossed into the sea in some capacity and tumbled along the island’s rocky coastline only to be cast along the shore as nature’s gems. These once-jagged pieces emerge in random shapes and all variety of sizes, including pieces of bottles and jars.

“A lot the sea glass that we find on Bermuda’s beaches comes from shipwrecks and locals throwing bottles overboard for the past 400 years,” explains Kelly Diel, who works these undersea marvels into beautiful wearable pieces of jewellery at her shop, Seaglass Studio, just off Water Street in St. George’s. The artist enhances each found treasure with beads and silver wire to create pieces where no two are alike.

“Bermudian crafters have used sea glass to enhance picture frames, mobiles, and suncatchers since the

1960s; and for the past 25 years, sea glass has been professionally made into jewellery,” she says.

The rarest colours of sea glass to be found on Bermuda’s shores are yellow, orange, red, and turquoise, she adds.

Visitors should note, however, that it is important to leave these natural jewels in their habitats along beaches and coastlines. Bermuda’s beaches and nature reserves are protected by law, which prohibits taking any coral, sand, rocks, or sea glass.

“Tourists should follow the same rules as the pink sand, shells, and corals,” says Diel. “Please don’t take anything off the beaches, as the airport and cruise ships will confiscate these items.”

Those mesmerised by the beautiful precious glass can take a piece home, crafted by one of the island’s local artists, to treasure in a truly Bermudian style.

Pop in to meet Diel at her Seaglass Studio or visit Kelli Thompson at Saltwater Jewellery Designs, both located in St. George’s; they will both be happy to create a unique jewellery piece just for you.