Articles

Mudlarking: The Mystery of the Thames Garnets

Why are semi-precious gemstones lying on the bottom of the River Thames in London?

Fascinating Cantonware

A History of Far East Traders, Shipwreck Treasures, and President Washington’s Mount Vernon

Mermaid Tears & Other Salty Names

Sea glass collectors are familiar with the alternate term for our treasured beach finds, Mermaids’ Tears.

Mudlarking: Giving New Life to Historic Glass

Collecting the city’s waste for nearly 2,000 years, the River Thames is a great repository of discarded objects, especially glass.

Mermaid Tales Throughout History

The portrayal of mermaids over the last few hundred years has changed for the better, leaving us with some very enduring tales.

Privy to History

The beach isn’t the only place to find antique and well preserved glass artifacts.

The Codd Neck Bottle

The Codd marble bottle was born from the need to keep carbonated drinks from going "flat." Earlier and original Codd bottles, and the marbles foun...

Mudlarking: Colored Glass & Georgian Bling

In the 18th century, the Georgians definitely loved their bling!

Mudlarking We Will Go

When my Dad who lives in Chicago came to visit me in London, I took him "mudlarking" (beachcombing) along the River Thames.

The Glass Floats

It is extremely unlikely that you will find a genuine glass fishing float along most of the world’s shorelines. But that doesn't stop us from looking.

Schlitz Royal Ruby Red

America’s one-time best selling and largest producer of beer has a history possibly richer and tastier than the beer itself, and likely as interest...

Beachcombing Connections

Lydia Kimball had no idea when she began collecting sea glass in Alaska that the most precious thing she would find on the beach was not sea glass ...