Are you looking for an interesting and unique gift for a special occasion? Finding a beautiful and rare creation can be one of the most daunting tasks when going to a wedding or a baby shower, but you won’t have to look far when it comes to sea jewelry creations. This long-standing and unique art form uses the ocean to create brilliant works of art, able to be crafted into necklaces, bracelets and rings. Below is a detailed list of how sea glass is made, where it comes from and why it might be your next great gift idea.
What Is Sea Glass?
Before you start looking for sea glass wedding jewelry ideas, it helps to know a little more about the history and origin of sea glass creations. The oldest known jewelry ever found was nearly 100,000 years ago — these were beads made from Nassarius shells, leading to future creations with similar techniques. Sea glass uses the natural properties of the ocean to create one-of-a-kind jewelry that stands the test of time for beauty, durability and individuality.
Where Can Sea Glass Be Found?
Sea glass is found all across the world, having existed since human beings started making glass products before the year 2000 B.C. However, most of the sea glass found today has been created between the 19th and 20th centuries. The past ten years, in particular, have seen sea glass collection becoming more and more popular among various sub-cultures — most of the available sea glass beaches have long since been picked clean.
What Colors Of Sea Glass Are There?
Whether you want to seek out sea glass wedding jewelry ideas or something similar such as a sea glass earring, there are plenty of options available for you to make your gift a special one. Orange is the least common color of available sea glass, found in an average of one in 10,000 pieces. Purple sea glass is also uncommon, as well as citron, and can be found for every 200 to 1,000 pieces found. Aqua, green and opaque colors are very common, however, and can be easily obtained in sea glass rings, sea glass charm designs and sea glass anklets.
How Is Sea Glass Made?
Sea glass is cultivated by the ocean itself, creating beautiful and unique pieces of art. Chunks of glass will soak in salt water and get tossed about against the sand and waves for anywhere from five to 50 years, softening and rounding the corners until they become smooth. The pH levels for water range from one to 14, with seven being considered neutral — any level below seven are said to be acidic, while anything above is either basic or alkaline. Seawater tends to have pH levels of at least eight, compared to fresh waterbodies like lakes or streams which range from six to eight.
Which Sea Glass Should I Get?
The best sea glass wedding jewelry ideas are ones that best fit the one being fited. An authentic sea glass charm can be a beautiful touch-up to a larger gift, while sea glass earring designs can be the talk of the night. The North American Sea Glass Association became a formal organization back in 2007, now boasting nearly 100 members all dedicated to the cultivation and study of sea glass. From sea glass wedding jewelry ideas to different types of sea glass anklets, there’s a memorable gift out there waiting to be found.