When you know what details to look for, the difference between clear white sea glass and milk white sea glass is easy to see. Many people say "white" sea glass when refering to clear sea glass, but milk white sea glass originates from a very different source.

~

Clear white sea glass is a very common color, milk white sea glass is rare and much harder to find.

~

Clear white sea glass is one of the most common forms of sea glass because clear glass is the most widely used glass and the simplist in form. It has been used for centuries in windows, drinking and storage vessels.

~

Milk White sea glass is glass that has antimony oxides, bone ash and tin compounds added in the forming process to make it milky white. 19th century glass makers called milky white opaque glass "opal glass." The term "milk glass" is relatively new, yet widely used.  

~

Milk white glass was made into decorative dinnerware, lamps, vases and costume jewelry. This color of glass is still highly collectible.

~

This image shows a milk white glass pitcher which is the orgin for the beautiful jewelry grade pieces of milk white sea glass shown with it.

~

In this image a clear glass bottle is spilling out jewelry grade pieces of clear white sea glass that are likely 20 ~ 100 years older than the bottle. 

~

In this image we have photographed pieces of clear white sea glass next to pieces of milk white sea glass. The clear white sea glass is on the top left and the milk white sea glass is on the bottom right. The differences become highlighted with this juxtaposition.

~

Above is a collection of clear white sea glass, to the left is a unique well worn bottle top.

~