Pirate Glass: What is it and does it really come from Pirates?

Pirate Glass, also known as Black Sea Glass, is one of the most unique types of sea glass you can find. Renowned for its intensely dark colouring and its intriguing name, this sea glass has a rich and detailed history, from its original use to the places it can be found on beaches around the world. Although the origin of the name “Pirate Glass” is unclear, it’s a common misconception that the glass comes from pirates and their use of glass at sea. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Pirate Glass, what it truly is, and the many misconceptions surrounding this fascinating type of sea glass.

The confusion around pirate glass

The most common myth surrounding Pirate Glass relates to its colour. While many believe Pirate Glass to be solid black, it is actually an intense shade of various colours so dark that it often appears black, especially once frosted by the sea. These colours can range from deep greens to browns and, in rare cases, even reds or blues. It’s these dark, rich tones that create the illusion of black. Think of it like a pint of Guinness, which many assume is black but is actually a deep amber colour which can only be seen under a certain light - just like pirate glass!

The history of black glass

As the name suggests, Pirate or Black Glass has a history dating back to the era when pirates roamed the seas. Black sea glass possessed many desirable properties that made it ideal for various products. Electrical line insulators and lightbulb insulators were commonly used in many industrial applications, while bottles for alcohol and other food items were used to help preserve their contents by reducing exposure to light. This practice continues today, with beer still being produced in darker-coloured glass, such as brown and green.

The black colouring of Pirate Glass is created by the inclusion of various compounds in the glass-making process. The addition of minerals such as copper oxide and iron oxide, among others, leads to a range of dark colours. Black glass is also much stronger due to these minerals, making it less likely to break during long sea voyages when transportation by sea was the only option. This durability made the glass more resistant to breakage during the stormy days at sea.

Where does black sea glass come from?

Black sea glass likely originated in the 16th century, with early examples found in Venice. Gin bottles made from black glass remained popular throughout the 19th century, and by the 20th century, black glass was used in a variety of decorative glassware.

During sea voyages, clean water was a luxury, and contaminated water was unsafe to drink. As a result, alcohol became the most popular beverage. Many bottles, including those made from black glass, would have been discarded overboard. Over time, these bottles broke down in the sea, washing up on beaches and harbours, eventually turning into what we now call sea glass. Pirate Glass still washes up on shores today, though it often blends in with pebbles, making it hard to spot unless you have a keen eye.

Where to find pirate glass

Pirate glass is often discovered in regions historically frequented by sailors and pirates, such as Bermuda. Known for its abundance of sea glass, Bermuda is one of the best places to search for these treasures. Among the most common pieces found are bottle bottoms, known for their thickness and durability. The dominant colours of pirate glass in Bermuda are typically olive green and amber, while rarer shades like deep purple and blue can occasionally be found, though they are much less common.

Pirate Glass Rarity

Pirate glass is commonly agreed upon to be quite rare. This isn’t because it isn’t commonly found on our shores, but more due to this darker colour. Pirate glass looks more like a pebble on beaches and it’s commonly overlooked by beachcombers. This, along with the variety of different colours available for pirate sea glass makes it simply overlooked and ignored by those in search of any sea glass.