Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems

A beautiful book, lovely pictures and the written history on the sea glass very informative.

Book is beautifully illustrated and informative. Everything you need to know about collecting sea glass from identifying to its history and where to find it.

Probably the best sea glass book you have ever read.

Nothing to dislike. A well researched and written book.

I originally tracked this book down because it is issued by the same company that produces the sea glass identification card set, ( Pure Sea Glass Identification Deck ). You see that card deck at every glass show, museum and jewelry show on the California Coast. The photos are excellent and the little info-bits on the cards really whet one's appetite for sea glass hunting and collecting.Anyway, this book is written by the person behind that deck. It is spoken of as being THE sea glass book, but it's a little spendy for a casual collector. We aren't obsessed, but we are enthusiastic, so we decided to splurge on the book as a treat. It is worth every dime.Sure, there are lots of great photos. But there are plenty of books with lots of photos. In fact, and this is the important point, while most other books are mostly nice photos and a cheerful song and dance, this book has so much fascinating info that you will find yourself sitting down and reading at length. There are, in no particular order of priority, tips about locating sea glass, explanations of the subtleties of weathering, a history of glass making and of color and coloring. There are extended reviews of sea glass sources - including bottles, tableware, flat glass, marbles, utility glass, containers, insulators and bonfire glass. There is some consideration of appraising rarity.Basically, you get over two hundred pages of amiable instruction in the company of a knowledgeable and engaging expert in the field. You come out the other end informed, encouraged, and raring to find that one in a million red piece that will be the center of your collection. You will absolutely have a better understanding of and appreciation of the sea glass you see in shows, and even the sea glass you might have in your own collection. (You will undoubtedly have one, "Oh, so that's what that is!", moment as you read.) Certainly, no other book better balances enthusiasm, information, encouragement, insight and freshness. Like a well weathered cobalt blue piece, this was a happy find. Pure Sea Glass Identification Deck