This bi-pass ring features two stunning blue, genuine surf tumbled, sea glass gems. Both of these beautiful pieces, one cobalt, one cornflower, I collected from Midland Beach on Staten Island and am actually able to date them to the 1800s. I found two of the original little cobalt bottles at an antique show…they were “Bromo-Seltzer” from the “Emerson Drug Co. Baltimore”. The cornflower blue piece originates from Phillips Milk Of Magnesia bottles, Bromo Seltzer, Vick’s Vapor Rub or ink wells!! After many were tossed into the sea long ago, they broke, and then spent the next hundred plus years tumbling their way along the coast, all the way to my little beach on Staten Island. The random shapes of this sea glass have been created by nature, and I do not alter them in any way. Because of the way I prepare the silver backing, these gems absolutely glow when in sun, or strong light.

I have many sea glass rings in multiple sizes to list over the next few days, however if you don’t spot one in the color you like, in your size, feel free to contact me and I’ll create a custom ring for you.

Sea Glass

Since moving to the US from Australia, I’ve been walking the beaches of the north eastern coast collecting surf tumbled sea glass and antique pottery shards. From the moment I picked up my first piece of sea glass I’ve been in love. They are stunningly pretty with their soft colors and frosted finish, but are also a part of history as it takes a minimum of 50yrs for the tides and surf to toss and tumble them into little gems. Of course, fake sea glass is being “cultivated” overseas now, and whilst the bright colors and uniform shapes are attractive to some, it is fake and I don’t use it. Its value is zero, much like a lab created diamond. About 90% of the sea glass in my jewelry has been collected by me personally over years. I do buy a small amount of genuine sea glass from collectors in places like Hawaii because my local surf does not produce the rounded gem shapes found in those locations. I will always let you know the geographical origin of the sea glass in items I create. Unlike “cultivated” glass, real sea glass is shaped organically by the surf and tides so they are uniquely uneven, and present a real challenge when creating their bezels. They also often display tiny “C” shapes on the surface of the frosting. I do not remove these as they are the signature of genuine sea glass, like the inclusions in an emerald. Where I collect, I find more white pieces than any other color. Brown is next, followed by Kelly Green. Very rare are the seafoam greens, and soft blues, with cobalt blue being the rarest color of all. Sadly, only about 10% of my finds are jewelry quality and the rest is chipped and used for craft. I hope you too come to fall in love with genuine sea glass.