While walking the beach one very cold and windy winter morning in January 24′ I found this beautiful piece of black sea glass along Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  It was wet, solid black.  Not sure if it was a rock or glass, I held it up to the overcast sky and got the thrill of seeing greenish/amber at the edges.  It was glass!  I pocketed the piece and continued walking.

When I got back to the car, I pulled the now dry piece out of my pocket and noticed a very striking golden film had developed.  Curious, I had to use the internet to figure out that this was known as Benicia iridescence.  At first I was disappointed by the somewhat less than attractive film.  Once I learned a bit more about it, I’ve come to really admire this weird piece of glass and continue to keep it around my desk to this day.

Black sea glass was used primarily mid- to late-1800’s to protect the contents of glass bottles from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sunshine.  I have no idea if this piece is from those times, but it’s certainly neat to think that I’m holding a piece of glass that might’ve been carried on a ship a hundred or more years ago–perhaps even pirates!  Gives a new meaning to connection :-). 

Camera:  Nikon D850
Lens:  Nikkor 60mm f2.8 @60mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  Janaury 25, 2024
Settings:  f14, 1/50 second, iso 64