Article: Where does Red Sea Glass come from? Origins & colour rarity
Where does Red Sea Glass come from? Origins & colour rarity
Red sea glass is considered the most prized ocean treasure amongst all sea glass collectors! When you find red sea glass, you've discovered something that represents less than 0.02% of all sea glass on beaches worldwide.
With odds of finding one estimated at just 1 in 5,000-10,000, finding this ultra rare colour on the shoreline remains a sea glass addicts career-defining moment.
I myself have only ever found 2 pieces in Sydney and I have probably got about 5000 piece of sea glass in my house right now. The red pieces available in the drop come from the USA, gifted to me by one of my lovely & very generous customers.
Ok, let's get into the origins...
Victorian Cranberry Glass
(1850-1920)
This was the golden age of red glass. Wealthy Victorian families displayed handcrafted cranberry glass in their parlors like precious jewels. Each piece was made with real gold chloride, hand-blown by master craftsmen, and cost a small fortune.
(1850-1920)
This was the golden age of red glass. Wealthy Victorian families displayed handcrafted cranberry glass in their parlors like precious jewels. Each piece was made with real gold chloride, hand-blown by master craftsmen, and cost a small fortune.
We're talking ornate vases, delicate wine decanters, perfume bottles, and lamp shades. Finding Victorian cranberry glass as sea glass today? You'd be holding something that sat in a mansion over 100 years ago. It's the rarest of the rare from an era when red glass was reserved for only the most elegant homes.
Royal Ruby Glassware
(1938-1967)
During the Depression era, American glassware company Anchor Hocking made affordable colored glassware for struggling families. But red remained out of reach—too expensive.
(1938-1967)
During the Depression era, American glassware company Anchor Hocking made affordable colored glassware for struggling families. But red remained out of reach—too expensive.
Then in 1938, they changed everything by using copper instead of gold to create red glass. Yes, before that they literally used GOLD!
This breakthrough launched Royal Ruby, and suddenly every American household could afford burgundy-red dinner plates and cups. Until trends changed and it got tossed and for us to find it washed ashore.
Ruby Red Beer Bottles: Schlitz's (1950s Special Edition)
Actual red beer bottles! These weren't your standard brown or green. Anchor Hocking produced special edition runs in their signature Royal Ruby glass for the brand Schlitz. Picture backyard barbecues, summer of '56, someone's grandpa cracking open a cold one from a red glass bottle. Most people tossed them without a second thought.
But some ended up in the ocean, tumbling for 70 years. So that piece of red sea glass on the beach? Could literally be from someone's grandfather's beer bottle.
It's not fancy Victorian glass or maritime equipment, it's pure Americana, preserved by the sea.
Ships navigating in the dark
(1850s-1960s)
(1850s-1960s)
Those thick red port lights on the left side of every vessel? That's where the oldest, most frosted red sea glass comes from.
Actual maritime safety equipment that guided ships through foggy harbors. When those lights broke or got replaced, into the ocean they went... and 50-150 years later, they wash up as incredible dark red, heavily frosted pieces.
Ten loose ultra rare red sea glass pieces. Limited collection.
Look at these ten red sea glass pieces in my hand. Which one guided ships through fog? Which graced a 1950s dinner table? Which came from grandpa's beer bottle? The ocean keeps its mysteries—and that's the magic.
These rare red pieces were kindly gifted to me by one of my customers and are available for customs. Just choose the one you like and I can make you a ring or a pendant.
Just make sure you are subscribed to my email newsletter so you always get my alerts on my exclusive red sea glass drops.
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