How to Make Sea Glass in a Concrete Mixer
Sea glass comes from bottles and other glassware that has made its way into the ocean from littering, shipwrecks, or natural disasters. Broken shards of glass are worn down by sand over time, giving them a smooth, frosted surface. Genuine sea glass is limited, though, and certain colors can be hard to find. If you need a particular color of sea glass for a project, or if you don't have access to a beach, you can make artificial sea glass with a rock tumbler.
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Things You'll Need
- Rock tumbler
- Glass shards
- Mosaic glass
- Water
- Silicon carbide grit (coarse to medium fine)
- Strainer
- Hose
Instructions
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1
Break the mosaic glass into pieces of the desired size. Use old glass bottles or dishes for a more authentic sea glass look. Fill the barrel of your rock tumbler three-quarters full of glass pieces.
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2
Add just enough water to the barrel to reach the same level as the glass without fully covering it. Add 4 Tbsp. grit to the water and close the barrel tightly.
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3
Place the rock tumbler on a flat surface and let it tumble for seven to 10 days. Take the barrel outside and dump the contents into a strainer. Use a garden hose to thoroughly clean the glass pieces.
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4
Repeat the tumbling process with a finer grit to achieve a more polished, glossy look.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Start with pieces slightly larger than you want as glass will lose some of its mass in the tumbling process.
Add a pinch of baking soda to the water before tumbling to prevent gas buildup.
Don't drain your tumbler in the sink. The grit can clog your drain.
Use caution and protective eye wear when breaking glass.
Keep all glass shards and grit out of the reach of children.
