How to Collect Beach Glass

Prod washed up beach debris. Follow above and then below the wrack line, the length of the beach where the tide leaves a line of debris, seaweed and other rubble that has washed onto the shore. Survey the ground and retrace steps to look in the opposite direction. Crouch over tide pools or rummage in tiny crevices for wedged pieces. At low tide, go to the water̵7;s edge and scan the length where water meets sand.

Search alongside bays such as Huntington on the north shore of Long Island, New York, and the Chesapeake, which covers a share of six states. These old seaports and shipping channels reveal beach glass along the high tide mark and soon after storms.

Hunt coastal shorelines of inland lakes such as Erie and Michigan. Look near and within marsh grass, debris and other flotsam and jetsam. Along sandy strips, sort through piles of tiny pebbles or poke through seaweed with a sharp stick.

Accrue beach glass on inland island beaches such as Rosario Beach on Fidalgo Island in Washington State. Turn over river rocks at the edge of the gritty sand. Go to higher ground where driftwood is situated and look within and underneath the branches and trunks. Explore near the bluffs that back the beaches.

Attend the annual North American Sea Glass or Mermaid Tears Sea Glass Festivals among others when hunting for a specific color, unusual shape or type of beach glass. Augment a collection with one or two uncommon colors such as golden amber or cornflower blue.