Sea glass is formed when pieces of glass end up in the ocean and are tumbled and smoothed by the waves and sand over many years. The constant motion wears the sharp edges off the glass, frosteding the surface and giving sea glass its distinctive appearance. While sea glass can come in any color, some colors are rarer and more prized by collectors than others. One especially desirable shade is lilac or lavender sea glass.
What Makes Lilac Sea Glass Rare?
There are a few factors that contribute to the rarity and value of lilac sea glass:
- Limited original source – In the past, glassmakers did not produce large quantities of glass in the lilac color range. Without a lot of original lilac glass entering the waste stream, there was not an abundant supply that could make its way into the ocean to become sea glass.
- Less durable color – The minerals used to produce lilac glass, like manganese, can act as contaminants that weaken the glass over time. This means lilac glass breaks down faster than clearer glass, reducing the amount that survives intact long enough to become sea glass.
- Quick color change – When exposed to UV light and the elements, lilac glass has a tendency to fade or darken toward a brown shade. Other glass colors are more stable. So lilac glass may become sea worn, but lose its light purple hue in the process.
These factors limit the amount of true lilac sea glass that remains compared to aqua, green, brown, and white sea glass. This scarcity heightens demand among sea glass collectors.
Estimating the Rarity of Lilac Sea Glass
It’s difficult to quantify exactly how rare lilac sea glass is, but examining collector surveys and expert opinions can provide an estimate:
- In a survey of sea glass collectors on the best beaches to find rare colors, only 1.5% had found lilac sea glass, compared to 45% finding aqua sea glass.
- One expert, Richard LaMotte, inventor of the Sea Glass Color Guide, states that true lilac is “one of the rarest sea glass colors found.”
- Mary Beth Beuke, author of Sea Glass Chronicles, ranks lilac in the top 5 rarest colors, along with orange, yellow, turquoise and teal.
Based on these assessments, it’s reasonable to estimate that lilac sea glass is found around 100 times less frequently than commonly occurring colors like green and brown sea glass. This significant scarcity contributes to its high value among collectors and beachcombers.
Lilac Sea Glass Locations
While lilac sea glass can turn up anywhere glass and water meet, there are certain beaches in the world that produce more finds of rare purple and blue sea glass. Here are some of the top spots to search:
| Beach | Location |
|---|---|
| Glass Beach | Fort Bragg, California |
| Kauai’s Glass Beach | Hanalei, Hawaii |
| Pebbly Beach | Jekyll Island, Georgia |
| BenBuckie Beach | Banffshire, Scotland |
| Shelter Cove | Humboldt County, California |
Lilac sea glass found along the Northern California coast near Fort Bragg is especially renowned. For years, the area was the site of a glass dump, which supplied the beach with high volumes of glass in an array of colors. Decades of wave action later, collectors combing Glass Beach still find rare purple and blue specimens among the treasure trove of sea glass.
Identifying Genuine Lilac Sea Glass
When determining if a piece of sea glass is true lilac or lavender, it’s important to distinguish between purple glass and glass that has taken on an apparent purple tint from patination or iridescence. There are some identification tips to ensure the genuine color:
- Examine thickness – Thicker pieces less easily lose their original color. Thinner glass is more prone to fading or taking on other hues.
- Inspect edges – Multi-colored edges hint that the glass has changed over time, starting as one color and altering toward another shade from exposure and mineral content.
- Check for surface deposits – Natural chemical deposits on the surface can impart extra color. Scrape a hidden spot inside a crevice to reveal the true glass color.
- Watch for tricks of light – The way light filters through and bounces off sea glass creates optical illusions of other hues. Observe how the color changes at different angles.
Once sure of the true color, factors like intensity, size, and clarity determine lilac sea glass value. Opaque, pale shades are less desirable than transparent, vibrant amethyst tones.
How is Lilac Sea Glass Valued?
Like other rare colors, genuine lilac sea glass commands premium prices. Exact value depends on:
| Factor | Characteristics Adding Value |
|---|---|
| Color | Vibrant, transparent, rich purple color |
| Clarity | Little to no frosted texture, pitting, or etching |
| Shape | Symmetrical, smooth, recognizable object or stone shape |
| Size | Over 1 inch, the larger the better |
| Origin | Beaches known for rare sea glass |
Individual pieces fitting this profile have sold for over $300. Even smaller bits under an inch can fetch $50 or more. The most valuable pieces often end up at private auctions or exclusive online sellers.
Preserving Lilac Sea Glass
To extend the life and maintain the value of rare lilac sea glass, proper preservation is key. Recommendations include:
- Avoid direct sunlight – Ultraviolet light accelerates fading. Display in indirect natural light or under LED bulbs.
- Control humidity – Store in an airtight case with desiccant packs to prevent clouding from moisture.
- Limit handling – Skin oils can permanently mark the surface. Use gloves or tweezers when moving glass pieces.
- Clean gently – Use a soft brush and distilled water only to remove dust and debris.
- Inspect for damage – Small scratches and chips reduce value. Consider professional glass repair for any damage.
Taking these steps helps maintain the integrity of rare lilac sea glass, preserving both its beauty and worth.
Future Availability
Many factors influence how available natural lilac sea glass will be in the future:
- Pollution laws – Stricter pollution rules mean less waste glass enters the oceans. This reduces sea glass supply overall.
- shifts – More recycled glass means companies use less virgin material, including rare colors.
- Climate change – Rising sea levels erode beaches, while increased storms break down glass faster.
- Sea glass popularity – Searches for rare glass surge, depleting limited supplies faster.
However, as existing sea glass becomes harder to find, manufacturers are making contemporary equivalents to meet demand. Machine-tumbled glass offers the frosted patina and shapes of ocean glass. While man-made glass lacks the history and excitement of found sea glass, it provides an alternative source for rare colors.
Conclusion
With its captivating amethyst tones and extreme scarcity, lilac sea glass remains one of the most treasured finds among collectors. Seeking this rare prize demands knowledge of its distinguishing traits, likely locations, and proper preservation. Due to many factors, natural lilac sea glass may become increasingly difficult to acquire in the future. But its magical allure endures, drawing seekers to beaches in hopes the tides will deliver this most prized and beautiful glass.
