Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems

by Sally Lamotte Crane, Richard LaMotte, Richard LaMotte

Book Overview

This definitive reference for beachcombers is also a beautiful addition to any coffee table. Surveys the history of glass manufacturing. Explains the weathering process that creates frosted sea glass gems from fragile shards of old glass and tableware. Offers tips on how and where to find the best pieces of sea glass. More than 200 exquisite photographs

This book brings to light the luminous beauty of authentic sea glass.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0975324608
• ISBN13: 9780975324608
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 2.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 9.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Beautiful table book

Anyone who collects or admires sea or beach glass will want to own this attractive book. It’s visually pretty and filled with a surprising amount of information. I rarely leave books out, but this one makes me smile!

"Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems"

I was born in a coastal town and have always loved the ocean, walking on the beach, sailing - almost everything that has to do with the sea. When I was a little girl, my mother used to take me for walks along the coast, especially after a storm, to see what strange and interesting items had washed up on shore. So it is surprising that I have never collected sea glass, until recently that is. I was working on a craft project for a gift and thought that a few pieces of sea glass would make a beautiful and meaningful addition. Once I looked into acquiring the glass my interest peaked. So before I went any further, I bought a copy of Richard LaMotte's renowned book "Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems" on the advice of a longtime collector and jewelry maker. This is an excellent volume, especially for beginners who are interested in learning about, searching for and collecting sea glass. A major added attraction is that there are over 150 exquisite and elegant photographs by Celia Pearson included here, presenting some of the beat specimens ever collected, along with a vast array of classical glassware from around the world that is often its source. The visuals are displayed in a manner that reminds me of Japanese Zen aesthetics. I am not a big coffee table book person, but my copy is on my table and most people who sit in my living room for longer than 15 minutes usually pick it up and peruse with delight. The book is a comprehensive guide, chock full of information on finding and identifying these gems, the bits of aged glass, enhanced by years beneath the sea or caught in the tides that wash our coasts. There are 224 pages with chapters on the history of sea glass and the history of sand, (fascinating), different types of glass, (bottles, containers, tableware, utility and flat glass, like window glass - plain and stained, marbles, insulators and bonfire glass - from ship and shore, etc.), and appraising rarity, along with many other interesting topics. So I am hooked. After a recent hurricane I made a day trip to Montauk, NY, and actually found some wonderful pieces on the beach at low tide - one a real jewel! Mr. LaMotte is a native of southeastern Virginia and now lives on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He has been collecting for decades. His wife, Nancy, started a sea glass jewelry business using shards from nearby Chesapeake Bay. Ms. Pearson is a professional and fine art photographer with more than 25 years experience. I recommend this superb book to everyone who appreciates art and finds delight in learning about the unusual. One does not have to be a collector to enjoy "Pure Sea Glass." It also makes a great gift. ENJOY! JANA

Pure Delight

I love to sit down after I've collected some sea glass from a day at the beach and read this book. I love this book. I've learned so much from "Pure Sea Glass", for example what time of the year, what time of the month and where to search for sea glass. The photographs are wonderful and colors are treat for your eyes. I leave this book along with "Sea Glass Chronicles-Whispers from the Past" on my coffee table. I've catch members of my family and my daughters friends looking through this book. "Pure Sea Glass" has encouraged my husband and our daughter, along with her friends(20Y and older) to go out sea glass hunting. It's a wonder book...a must have for any beachfront owner or beach loving folk.

Mom of All Trades

This book was informative without being boring. It gives good tips on how to find sea glass and simple ways to rate its value. I found the history of how it comes to be most interesting plus it has beautiful pictures!

Visit your past with a familiar yet alluring subject!

Genre: Non fiction Title: PURE SEA GLASS Author: Richard LaMotte with photography by Celia Pearson Every man, woman or child that has walked the beach and collected tiny pieces of sea worn glass will find long lost memories resurfacing as they read this book. Sea Glass is something that everyone is familiar with and yet knows very little about. Much to my astonishment, I have discovered, since reading this book that there is even a Sea Glass Festival held in Rockport, Ma. every year. This fascinating coffee table book provides a comprehensive reference on sea glass as well as a soothing, tranquil visit to the seashore through its wonderfully executed photographs. Readers learn how sea glass is transformed by the rolling waves; natural elements developing its frosted patina and fascinating color. There is a section on antique bottles, containers and collectibles. This reviewer was spellbound by the information found in this book. The tenth chapter discusses grading of color and rarity, aging and typing the various sea glass specimens. The scenes of seacoasts and beaches are comforting to the soul. The various strategically placed quotes throughout the book add to its appeal. The conclusion on the last page: Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better. Albert Einstein Author Richard LaMotte resides in Maryland with his wife Nancy who has started a sea-glass jewelry business. While researching for a lecture, he began his in-depth research on this fascinating subject. The result is this book. Photographer, Celia Pearson has been a professional photographer for over twenty years. Having spent her childhood days on the coast of Maine, her love of the subject and the coast is evident in her work. This book is going to remain in my personal collection and now I look at a piece of sea glass in a different more intense light. Highly recommended as a gift to friends, family and yourself. Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.