Instead of using artificial, factory-made rock tumbler grit, I process my glass using genuine, heavy mineral sand gathered from historic Revere Beach — America's very first public beach.
What makes Revere Beach sand exceptional
Its high concentration of natural almandine garnet, which washes down from the glacial deposits of the White Mountains. Garnet is one of the hardest minerals on Earth, acting as a premium, high-precision natural abrasive.
As the glass rolls against these microscopic gemstones, the garnet crystals create a beautifully uniform, velvet-frosted texture that modern factory machinery simply cannot replicate.
The result is a piece of art that seamlessly blends the vibrant colors of fine stained glass with the geological heritage of our local shoreline.