Shelling and Beachcombing on Hutchinson Island

With the Gulf Stream coming close to our shores along with numerous natural and artificial reefs and artifacts from the Spanish galleons that wrecked during the 17th and 18th centuries, the beaches of Hutchinson Island offer some of the best shelling and sea glass hunting opportunities around. Because the beaches are left naturally groomed by nature and not man, shell and sea glass treasures are abundant on the shores of Hutchinson Island.

The best time to go beachcombing for seashells and sea glass is during low tide and after storms. It is like a win of seashells, a real marine jackpot! You'll have too many to choose from. The storms churn up the shells and glass lying at the bottom of the ocean and low tide leaves more beach and sandbar exposed for the hunt. However, I’ve found that these little treasures wash up every day on the shores of Hutchinson Island.

 

Cleaning your sea shells:

To clean your seashells you’ll want to use a 50/50 solution of bleach and water over night to get rid of living organisms and barnacles and brighten them up. Now that you’ve cleaned your shells, make them shine by wiping them with mineral oil or baby oil.

To clean a sand dollars and starfish, soak in fresh water first. Change the water frequently until fairly clear. Then soak in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water for 5-10 minutes. Don’t soak too much longer than that because the bleach solution may crumble your sand dollar. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove bleach solution then let them dry preferably in the sun.

Sea glass

Sea glass is manmade glass that has wound up in the ocean, tumbled and smoothed by the water and sand, creating small pieces of smooth and beautifully frosted glass. More common colors of sea glass include, brown, green and clear or white, originating from beer and wine bottles, windows and old Clorox bottles.

Rare sea glass colors include red, yellow, orange sea foam green, purple, black or dark olive green, and pink. Originating from old boat lights, Depression glass, soda bottles from the mid 1900’s, spirit bottles, old Vaseline jars, whiskey and medicine bottles.

Sea glass is a rare example of a valuable item being created from the actions of the environment on man-made litter. Many people sell their pieces, as found or as-is or display them in a glass jar or tumbler, while others make them into gorgeous pieces of jewelry.

Sea Glass Jewelry

Some beachcombing humor

While observing people on the beaches, my husband and I have jokingly categorized beachcombers.

Hunchers or Stoopers: people who walk hunched or stooped searching diligently for shells and glass. Toe flippers: people who don’t want to bend over and pick up the seashell but rather flip the shell over with the toe first to see if the shell is whole or broken. Nonchalanter’s: people walking or strolling on  the beach but will have their eyes pealed and stop in a moments notice to pick up the seashell or sea glass. Can't resisters: Those that are strictly on the beach for exercise. Walking briskly or running and will stop suddenly to pick up that irresistible sea shell.

I've found myself in all four categories! I started out with the sea shells but now that I have a countertop piled high, I needed to move onto something a little smaller so we don't drown in sea shells. Now I hunt for sea glass. It's a little slower hunt but very rewarding as I have found several of those "rare" colors  Many of the pieces found have been made into sea glass jewelry.
visit: www.seaglassjewelrybysam