Sea glass is glass originating from home decor, glassware, shipwrecks or even industrial waste that has been discarded or disposed of and ended up in the ocean, where it is naturally tumbled and weathered by the tide over time. This process smooths the edges and gives the glass a frosted, matte finish. It often takes decades—sometimes 50 to 100+ years—for sea glass to form, as salt water, waves, and sand gradually erode and smooth the sharp edges of the glass before it eventually washes up on the beach.

Common colours include white (clear), green, and brown. Rarer colours include blue, red, orange, purple, black, and yellow.

Sea pottery (also called beach pottery or ocean pottery) is broken ceramic or porcelain that’s been smoothed by the sea, similar to sea glass. It originates from broken dishes, tiles, mugs, or other ceramic objects that end up in the ocean. While the sea softens sharp edges, sea pottery typically retains its original glazing, colours, or patterns, making it visually distinct.

Typical finds include hand-painted designs (blue-and-white ware is common), porcelain shards, and terracotta or stoneware fragments.