Going seaglass hunting for spring break? Here’s what it is, how to spot it on Florida beaches

Spring break season has officially commenced, with exhausted students and families around the country flocking to Florida to unwind by the beach.

Despite the Sunshine State's reputation for rowdy spring break crowds, they are plenty lowkey activities to enjoy while hanging out along the coastlines. Including sea glass hunting.

Sea glass is one of the most beautiful and unique items to come out of the ocean, as well as one of the most rare. Sought after by both professional beachcombers and casual vacationers, hunting for colorful shards of glass has become a growing hobby.

What exactly is sea glass? Is it natural?

Sea glass is physically and chemically weathered glass found on beaches along bodies of salt water. The glass usually comes from broken bottles, glassware, shipwrecks, and other glass-turned trash.

They roll and tumble in the ocean, removing the sharp edges with every movement of the waves until the weathering processes produce natural frosted glass in an abundance of colors. The process can take from 30-50 and even up to 100 years or more, depending on ocean currents and tidal conditions.

Where are the top Florida beaches to look for sea glass?

Curious if your upcoming spring break destination is a sea glass hot spot? According to the beach guide website Neat Beach, the top Florida beaches for sea glass are:

• Sanibel Beach

• Captiva Island

• Hutchinson Island

• Jupiter Island

• Jenson Beach

• Jacksonville Beach

• Cinnamon Beach

• Navarre Beach

• Siesta Key

What is the difference between sea glass and beach glass?

Just like sea glass, there is beach glass, which comes from fresh water and is often less frosted in appearance than its counterpart.

Is collecting sea glass illegal?

The answer depends on where you're located.

On all beaches located within U.S. state parks, it is illegal to collect sea glass. If caught, one might be fined upwards of $500. On other beaches, it is legal unless indicated otherwise.

How rare is sea glass to find along beaches?

Since glass isn't as heavily used for bottles, jars, and other packaging that might end up in the ocean, sea glass has become harder to find along coasts.

Authentic sea glass has become more expensive, especially for those seeking particular colors over the years.

What are the rarest colors of sea glass?

Brown, green, and white are the most common sea glass colors since they come from discarded glass bottles. According to rarity charts, red, orange, teal, and turquoise are the most rare.

How can you tell if the sea glass is authentic?

With authentic sea glass ranging anywhere from $10 to $100 per piece, some have tried their luck at making sea glass to catch a quick buck.

To tell if a piece of sea glass is authentic, experts say that both sea and beach glass will have sometimes uneven but smooth edges. Fake pieces are typically rough and often too straight cut, very often found to be square shaped.

What can you do with sea glass after collecting it?

After collecting sea glass, many online offer ideas of how to display your treasures, including:

• Filling a bowl to display

• Making jewelry

• Making decorative wall art

• Mosaic art

• Constructing a suncatcher

• Making a holiday ornament

• Adding to items of clothing

When does spring break typically start in Florida?

The spring break officially runs from the beginning of March through early April but every college, university and county school district runs on its own schedule.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: What is sea glass? Here's where to find them on Florida's beaches