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Beach Activities for Everyone ~ Even Non-Beach-Lovers (Seriously?!)

Posted by E.G.D. on April 25, 2013

Today’s Featured Guest Post Writer is Erica Kritt from The Cruise Web:

The ever-popular Seawall Beach at Galveston Island, Texas

The ever-popular Seawall Beach at Galveston Island, Texas

I confess, I used to hate the beach. I hated the sand getting in everything, I thought it was boring, and on top of that I don’t like my beach bod. However, now I love the beach. Working at a travel agency, destinations that are rich in beaches come up a lot, so I have a lot of knowledge about what to do on a beach. I’d like to share how the beach can be a fun place for everyone from grandpa to baby with a few activities that will be fun for all. Believe me, if I could get over my dislike of the beach, then you or your family members can too.

Looking to Relax
If you can find a quiet beach, you are set, and even if you are at a popular spot, put on your shades and some soothing music and focus in on the waves coming in and out. Lounging on the beach is a great chance to get out in nature, but you can surround yourself with creature comforts, like a pillow, your e-reader and some tropical smoothies.

Most relaxing activity: Many cruise lines have private islands in the Caribbean and the Bahamas, where you can even experience a massage in a cabana right on the beach.

Shelling with Family

Shelling with Family

Looking to Explore
A beach has a lot to offer for both kids and adults looking to discover creatures they’ve never seen, or to find those special shell treasures. In fact, finding a good beach could be an expedition in itself.

Best Exploration: Snorkeling excursions are a chance to see the creatures that lurk just underneath the water. In the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, you’ll have a chance to see beautifully colored fish and interesting coral formations.

Looking to Play
Sand castles aren’t just for kids, on the shore you can try your hand at making sand sculptures. The beach is fun, but things can get really fun in the water. At many beaches you can rent wave runners, or fly high while parasailing over the ocean. Some cruise lines even offer passengers the chance to take a horse ride on the beach and even in the surf.

The Most Fun of All
Anytime you can learn a new skill, it makes your experience that much more rich. Beaches in Hawaii and other tropical destinations offer surf lessons where you can test your balance in the ocean.

As you can see, there really is an activity on the beach for everyone. All you have to do is make sure you visit a beach that offers what you are looking for, read reviews, speak with a travel agent, and get ready for some fun in the sun.

About the Author: Erica Kritt works at The Cruise Web, a travel agency that specializes in cruising. Her favorite beach has to be the one on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas.
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Posted in Sand and Shoreline | Tagged: , , , | 7 Comments »

The Islands of the Mo’o (Hawaiian Lizard)

Posted by E.G.D. on March 1, 2013

Today’s Featured Guest Writer is Walter Wong:

On La'ie Bay (Photo by Walter Wong)

On La’ie Bay (Photo by Walter Wong)

Aloha from the Islands of Hawaii.  As a son of a Fisherman, I grew up swimming along with my father as he would spear fish for family meals.  It was a very special place I felt as “La’ie Bay”, located on the Northeastern tip of the island of O’ahu,  contained several islands which if assembled, would depict a giant Lizard or Mo’o as we say in Hawaiian.

My two sons and a Mo'o head (photo by Walter Wong)

My two sons and a Mo’o head (photo by Walter Wong)

The picture of my two sons shows the head of the giant Mo’o in the back ground with the hole representing the eye.  It was special to share this with my sons as we live on the Big Island of Hawaii.  All they could ask was “are there sharks Dad?”.   Soon, it will be time for me to give them the knowledge of swimming to the different islands of the Mo’o so they will know where and how to care for their families when the time comes.  In the mean time, I will watch and observe the ocean for the right conditions, and their journey will begin.  Aloha!

About the Author: Walter Wong is a Native Hawaiian who grew up in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii, now residing on the Big Island of Hawaii. He is the father of 8 children and the Owner of HawaiianUp.  He enjoys sharing stories about Hawaii and helping people to make their own memories.

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For more of our posts about the island of Oahu, please visit:

The End of the Road, Oahu, Hawaii

Iconic Chinaman’s Hat, Windward Oahu

Snorkeling, Sunbathing, Swimming and… Homework? Hanauma Bay!

Mystery Beach (La’ie Beach), Oahu, Hawai’i

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon (aka: The Hilton Lagoon), Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Beachcombing & Sea Turtles at Hale’iwa Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii

Beachcombing on Waikiki Beach (Oahu, Hawaii)

And many more! -E.G.D.

Posted in Beaches of The Hawaiian Islands, Friday Finds | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Feeling Better for the Sand Between Your Toes

Posted by E.G.D. on February 13, 2013

I don’t know about you, but I happen to greatly enjoy walking around barefoot in beach sand.  This has very occasionally led to negative occurrences (one memorable occasion on Venice Beach in Florida, I stepped on an old piece of rusty barbed wire and had to get a Tetanus shot), but more often than not the experience has brightened my day and done me more good than a conventional foot massage.  Apparently the science community got the memo, because recently my mom (Jody) found an article on Wellsphere that discusses the health benefits of walking around barefoot.

Pacific Beach, San Diego, California (photo by Jody Diehl)

Pacific Beach, San Diego, California

According to the article, a “stimulating barefoot walk has a multitude of benefits from relieving stress, increasing balance, helping your brain to help you get a good night’s sleep, healing disease, eliminating headaches, eliminating joint pain and more. Research is only just beginning, but the consensus seems pretty clear. Taking off your shoes not only feels good. It is good for you… we get negative charged energy from the earth that combats inflammation and positively charged free radicals in the body.“  Now, this information applies to walking barefoot anywhere, but there are already myriad health benefits for people who walk or run on beaches, even if they’re wearing shoes.  According to an article in the Middletown Patch, “walking and running are two of the best cardio exercises… Even better, though, is performing them on the beach in the sand. It is absolutely a superior work out than on the road or a trail as the shifting sand makes traction a challenge.  This causes muscle groups to work harder as you jog. Just walking on the beach in the sand benefits health.”  Of course, even that article notes that “barefoot is the best way to go for optimum results.”  An article from Hello Magazine says many of the same things as the two previous articles, but adds in that sand and ocean water provide natural exfoliant for our feet and “will result in softer feet in no time, just like a home peel treatment!“  Really, I can see no downside to any of these things.

Ahhhhhh!

Ahhhhhh!

When it comes right down to it, I don’t need experts to give me a special reason to walk around barefoot on a beach, but I suppose that now I can feel like I’m somehow smarter for doing what I would have done anyway.  Three cheers for beach related ways to stay healthy- E.G.D.

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Posted in Sand and Shoreline | Tagged: , , , , | 6 Comments »

Curacao – Island of the Fortresses

Posted by E.G.D. on January 28, 2013

Today’s Featured Writer is Grace Bailey.

The Caribbean is one of the most attractive places on the planet for a beach vacation. The region consists of many vary-sized islands, each one unique and nice to visit. What makes the land interesting is the rich historical heritage.  The places of interest can not be seen anywhere else.

The Caribbean island of Curacao is amazing and truly unique.  Though it is far away from the European continent, it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Handelskade, Willemstad, Curacao (photo by Rodry 1 at Wikimedia Commons)

Handelskade, Willemstad, Curacao (photo by Rodry 1 at Wikimedia Commons)

When a person decides to take a trip to this island, he can anticipate the many old and interesting fortresses he will find when he arrives. The general purpose of these forts was once to protect the island from all sides, though today they are no longer in use except as tourist attractions.  Eight of the forts have survived, in whole or part, into the modern day. Here are the five I found most interesting:

The first fort on the island was made in the 17th century. Though the Dutch of the time were mighty, they never felt safe on the island. Their enemies were surrounding them from all sides. Other countries with colonial ambitions, like England and France, were a real threat.  Venezuela and other local neighbors were hardly more friendly.  So, Fort Water was built in 1634. Unfortunately, visitors today will not be able to see the original structure. For many reasons it was replaced back in 1827, and in the modern day, the complex has been re-purposed.  It has many stores, medical service and even stables. It is actually the perfect place for lunch near the sea! From this fort-turned-mall, a visitor can take in an amazing view and remember its history, as well as shop and eat.

The next guard of the island was made just one year after the first fort. This was Fort Amsterdam. Named after the capital of the Netherlands, this fort protected the eastern part of the island.  This is actually the most notable and important of all the forts to visit on the island. That is why it is included in a UNESCO Heritage site (the Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour). Today the building hosts government offices and one not-to-be-missed museum.

Fort Beekenburg was made in the beginning of the 18th century and guarded the inner bay in the area. It is named after the person who made the defense plans for the city. The stories say that the fort was several times captured by pirates in the past. Today it is situated next to some of the best beaches in the area. Visitors can combine an afternoon of water sports at the beach with a visit to the complex.

Curacao's Caribbean Sea (photo from Shutter Stock)

Curacao’s Caribbean Sea (photo from Shutter Stock)

Fort Nassau is the one that has closest maintained its “original look.” It was once dedicated to protecting St. Anna Bay. Besides functioning as a fort, it was responsible for regulating the opening and closing the Pontoon Bridge. It now houses a restaurant.

Rif Fort was the last one made in the 19th century. It is today a shopping center with many restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

When you’ve finished fort hopping, there are more than 38 beaches to explore!  The official Curacao Travel Guide website recommends a list of 15 of them, and they all look spectacular and inviting.

About the Author: Grace is a passionate writer who enjoys sharing her traveling adventures. Visit her at HolidayArticles.com.

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Coming soon: The Best Beaches of Curacao!

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Posted in Beaches of the Caribbean, Monday Miscellaneous | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

A Great Beach Ecology Resource: Beachapedia!

Posted by E.G.D. on January 16, 2013

Don’t let the name fool you: Beachapedia is not affiliated with Wikipedia!  On the contrary, it is an independent beach ecology resource that is staffed by a group of dedicated writers including “scientists, engineers and activists.”

Along the Oregon Coast

Along the Oregon Coast

Prior to this morning, I had never even heard of Beachapedia, which is a terrible shame!  In very little time, I learned from the Beachapedia vegetation page that vegetation on beaches falls into three different categories depending on where the plants grow in relation to the tidal area and the dune.  The plants in each category display certain patterns of characteristics as a result of their respective locations.  While I was at it, I also read an interesting little article on wrack, which The California Coastal Commission defines as “organic material such as kelp and sea grass that is cast up onto the beach by surf, tides, and wind,” and which is important to both plant and animal beach wildlife.  That article links to another very good article from the National Science Foundation called “All Washed Up and Somewhere to Go,” which I highly recommend any dedicated beachgoer read.

"Wrack"

“Wrack” – Silver Strand State Beach, Southern California

Now, as you can see, I was looking specifically for “Wild Wednesday” wildlife material for this article, but Beachapedia has information on everything coastal-environment-related from A to W (X,Y, and Z apparently don’t start any beach related topic words).  It’s a really useful website, I think, especially if you’re looking to learn about the nuts and bolts of how beaches function.  Also, you never know when you might want a clear and very detailed definition of beach related terms like “estuary” or “neap tide.”

Galveston (Texas) Seawall Beach

Galveston (Texas) Seawall Beach

It never hurts to take a little time to better understand our beaches!  After all, whatever would we beachcombers do without them?  Happy beachgoing, everyone- E.G.D.

For more information on beach ecology, you can also visit these other Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches articles:

The Sand Beneath our Feet

Seaweed – Trash or Treasure?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Delicate

It must be a sign!

Tide Pool Etiquette 101

And to some degree or another, most  Wild Wednesday posts!

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Posted in Beach and Coastal Wildlife, Sand and Shoreline | Tagged: , , , , , | 7 Comments »

Komodo Island – Discover the Wildlife

Posted by E.G.D. on December 19, 2012

Today’s Featured Writer is Grace Bailey

Komodo Island Waters (Photo from Shutterstock)

Komodo Island Waters (Photo from Shutterstock)

Are you yearning to experience a vacation filled with wild adventures and magnificent landscapes? Do you want to be close to nature and feel its powers and magnificence? Do you miss the green mountains and crystal clear waters? If the answer to these questions is yes, I have the ideal place for your unforgettable trip. Komodo Island, with all its beauty and magnificence, can be the perfect vacation destination.

Located at the center of the Indonesian archipelago, Komodo Island is one of the three largest of the magnificent islands within the Komodo National Park. If the gentle touch of nature and natural pure beauty are what you have been missing the most, this island is the ideal place for you. Here you will find yourself in a quiet and magical atmosphere and surrounded by gorgeous landscapes and unforgettable views.

(Photo from Shutterstock)

(Photo from Shutterstock)

More like a painting than a real place, the island displays magnificent and pure natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes. One of the most beautiful and famous tourist destinations in Komodo National Park is definitely the Pink Beach. This symphony of soft light sand and stunning underwater flora and fauna will definitely make you feel like you are in paradise. The combination of numerous red corals and the white sand create the illusion of a unique pink beach called Pantai Merah by the locals. Here you can enjoy the endless beauty of nature and realize why Komodo National Park is among the finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World.

You may have heard about that unique and special relationship between people and dragons and here you have the chance to see that. There is a tradition for locals to feed the Komodo dragons, which has created that special bond. In fact, the Komodo dragon is one of the greatest attractions for many tourists who have never had the chance to be so close to the wildlife. This is the only place which can take you so close to nature and unique magnificent creatures that you can actually feel their magic.

Komodo Dragon in the Komodo National Park (photo by by Thomas Hirsch from Wikimedia Commons)

Komodo Dragon in the Komodo National Park (photo by by Thomas Hirsch from Wikimedia Commons)

With several first class sites dispersed around the park, Komodo Island is the ideal place for scuba diving. Experienced divers will truly enjoy the incredible riot of bright color under the waters. Here you can also discover the glorious marine animals like sea cucumbers, snappers and the beautiful sea turtles. Some of the most famous sites include Cannibal Rock and Gili Lawa known for sharks, tuna and barracudas.

Filled with numerous adventures and fun family activities, the island can offer you an unforgettable and memorable vacation. Here you will never be bored, because entertainment is around every corner. Whether you decide to spend time exploring the magnificent nature by taking a nice long walks, or discover the island on a boat, you are always guaranteed to have a great time.

If the picture I have described here with words caught your attention, you may be now planning your trip to Komodo Island. You should bear in mind that the best time to visit the island is between November and April, so why not have a nice winter family trip exploring the wildlife?! So isolated from the real world and from everything that surrounds you in the big city, in Komodo Island you can really feel like you are on vacation. This is the best place where you can relax and feel the joy of being so close to nature. The wildlife of the island gives you the unique opportunity to get in touch with another, different world.

If you are longing to make your wildest dreams come true, if you are dreaming to see and explore a different world, Komodo Island is a place for you. Wild adventures, magnificent landscapes, and pure natural beauty are what you can expect to see and experience in the island.

About the author:  Grace is a passionate  writer, dreamer and adventurer. She enjoys writing of various interesting and exotic places and people. You can read more at http://www.vacation-rentals.com/.

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Posted in Beach and Coastal Wildlife, Beaches of Asia | Tagged: , , , , | 5 Comments »

The Magic of Magic Island

Posted by E.G.D. on December 3, 2012

A Cast Party at Magic Island with Ala Moana in the Background (Photo by Jody Diehl)

A Cast Party at Magic Island with Ala Moana Beach in the Background (Photo by Jody Diehl)

Let me tell you a story.  Once upon a time, someone started building a resort adjacent to Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The company got as far as making a man-made peninsula aaaaaaaaaaaaaand…. stopped.  Rumor has it, they ran out of money.  Anyhow, the resort was going to be called “Magic Island,” and when the new peninsula became property of the city, the name stuck and it became a really spiffy park right next to the beach.  Now, once upon a time long after that, I lived in Honolulu while working on a terminal degree in theatre performance, and Magic Island became significant in my life as a prime location for extremely low-budget cast parties (for you non-theatre types out there, a cast party is a party that happens just after the closing performance of a play, and is not limited to the cast, but usually includes the entire design and technical crews of a given production, plus guests).  Suffice it to say, you can’t do any better for a location than “free and on the beach,” unless perhaps it’s “free and on the beach, and nicely landscaped, and attached to a safe swimming hole blocked off from the ocean with boulders, and featuring picnic tables in the shade of gigantic and beautiful trees.”  Magic island is definitely a winner!  As with Ala Moana Beach Park, Magic Island is generally a hangout for locals, and unless it happens to be a major holiday (like Christmas, for example) it is not usually crowded.

View from Magic Island (Photo by Jody Diehl)

View from Magic Island (Photo by Jody Diehl)

I do not believe I have ever been to Magic Island and not easily found a free, shaded picnic table… except for on Christmas.  Seriously, if you want a prime location that close to Ala Moana Beach on Christmas, you probably have to show up at six in the morning.  Otherwise, though, whether you are a local or a visitor, Magic Island is a great place for a picnic, and if you don’t feel like making your own, it’s right across the street from Ward Center (a mall catering primarily to locals) where you’ll have your choice of any number of different, quite excellent places to pick up take-out.  After lunch and a swim in the swimming area, I highly recommend a walk on Ala Moana Beach, which can be a good place to find shells and chunks of coral at low-tide, especially after a storm.  What more can you ask for?

View from Magic Island (Photo by Jody Diehl)

View from Magic Island (Photo by Jody Diehl)

That, my friends, is the magic of Magic Island… which is neither magical nor an island in any literal sense.  Next time you’re in Honolulu, go ahead and drop by.  I’m sure you won’t be disappointed- E.G.D.

Jody, E.G.D., and Grandma at a Magic Island Cast Party (Photo probably by Jackie Okimoto or Steph Pak)

Grandma, E.G.D., and Jody on Magic Island, Honolulu (Photo probably by Jackie Okimoto or Steph Pak)

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Posted in Beaches of The Hawaiian Islands, Monday Miscellaneous | Tagged: , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Marina Del Rey – California´s Waterfront Playground

Posted by E.G.D. on November 26, 2012

Today’s Featured Writer is Grace Bailey 

Marina Del Rey (Photo from Shutterstock)

The town of Marina Del Rey is an oceanfront town located in the state of California. The town faces the ocean and at the mainland it is surrounded by the city of Los Angeles. This town is a famous tourist destination and one of the reasons for this is the local marina. The town holds the largest man-made harbor in the state where there are 19 distinct marinas. This makes the town a diverse oceanfront playground with countless offerings for the vacationers. The holidaymakers will have plenty of water-based activities to enjoy at this destination. Marina Del Rey also offers access to several beautiful beaches. The town is also famous for its numerous hiking paths, the scenic biking alleys and enjoyable boardwalks. There are plenty of shopping venues which you will be able to visit as well. Many entertainment options are offered at this destination and there are many interesting events, including a series of summer concerts. Near the marina, there is an abundance of high-rise condos, beach houses and vacation villas. Therefore you will easily find a suitable place to spend your vacation, with so many vacation rentals available this place is excellent for an extended vacation.

Areal view of Marina Del Rey (Photo by Albaum from Wikimedia Commons)

You should definitely not miss the beaches at this destination. You can start by visiting the marina beach. This beach is equipped with all sorts of facilities; there are even sheltered picnic tables available. Another beach nearby is Venice beach, this is perhaps the most lively and vibrant beach in the area and it is worth a visit. Yet another beautiful and sandy beach which you can visit is the Playa del Rey Beach. Located just a couple of miles from the marina, this is a stunningly beautiful stretch of coast ideal for sunbathing.

One of the most interesting spots at Marina Del Rey is the Fisherman´s Village. This spot is designed as a New England seaport and it is a very pleasant and relaxed place. There you can enjoy shopping, since there are numerous diverse shops around this waterfront and open air mall. A lot of fine restaurants are also located at this diverse and interesting place. The promenade at the village offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views over the bay; you should definitely take a stroll along this scenic lane. You can also visit the local lighthouse and the numerous New England style homes.

The site at Marina Del Rey which attracts most visitors is definitely the Burton W. Chace Park. This park attracts a crowd with its serene natural setting, you can enjoy hiking and walking along scenic trails, you can also enjoy cycling, roller skating and many other diverse activities there. The picnic areas at the park are also very pleasant and they offer barbecues as well as other facilities. This park is also famous for hosting the majority of the local events. The summer concert series are among the most popular events at this destination and they are held in the park. From the park you can also observe the annual boat parade which is a very impressive display.

The activities which are offered at Marina Del Rey are very impressive as well. For the nature lovers, a trip to Ballona Wetlands will provide them with the chance to observe many exotic trees and plants as well as the diverse local wildlife. For the boating lovers, there are numerous marinas available and there is also an aquatic center which offers rowing and sailing lessons. Regular fishing charters are also offered at this destination. And there are many water sports you can try, such as surfing and parasailing for example.

About the author: Grace is a passionate  writer, dreamer and adventurer. She enjoys writing of various interesting and exotic places and people. You can read more at http://www.vacationhomes.net/.

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Posted in Monday Miscellaneous, Southern California Beaches | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Seashell Wallflowers! Display Your Beach Treasures.

Posted by E.G.D. on November 24, 2012

~From our Oldies but Goodies Collection~

Aloha, all!  Jody came to the conclusion recently that it was high time we had a easy seashell craft post, and I quite agree.  So, while she sets to work on a very spiffy bit of beachy embroidery (embellished with beach treasures, of course!), I have decided to make wallflowers.  “What do wallflowers have to do with the beach?”  you might ask, and it is a perfectly valid question.  The answer is: I made framed and matted seashell wall hangings out of Jody and Greg’s Sanibel Island, Florida beachcombing finds.  I arranged the seashells in the shape of flowers.

This was a delightfully easy process that I’m sure any person with a lot of seashells on his or her hands could manage.  What you’ll need, if you’re planning to do this project yourself, is a nice frame, some card-stock or matting, seashells, and a hot glue gun.

For my first seashell wallflower, I used two pieces of matting with ovals cut out of the middle and a bit of natural-looking brown paper in a nice, dark brown frame.  Check it out!

Wallflower Number 1 (craft and photo by E.G.D.)

For this one, I used a lightning whelk as a sort of vase or base for the seashell flower arrangement.  Shell fragments made for quite shiny and metallic-looking leaves, and some conch shells made for flower petals.  I think the middle of the flower is a shark eye snail shell.  Please bear in mind that ANY of these shells can be substituted by whatever you happen to have in your collection.  Case in point, here’s the second seashell flower arrangement I put together:

Wallflower Number 2 (craft and photo by E.G.D.)

This is set in a dollar-store (Daiso 100-yen store, actually) photo frame I bought a long time ago in Japan.  The background is a recycled, folded greeting card envelope.  Notice that the effect is more or less the same as my first project, but none of the seashells are the same!  That’s the great thing about such a simple craft.  No two of your seashell flower wall hangings will ever be the same!  I was thinking that a whole series of these would look great on a bathroom wall, and really, these would make for amazingly thoughtful and low-cost holiday gifts for those of you who are looking to go D.I.Y. with your gifting this year.  Alternately, if you substituted white glue for the hot glue, this would be a great easy seashell craft for the whole family to enjoy.  My little niece and nephew always have a ball doing this sort of thing.

So, happy seashell crafting, everyone!  Rather than link the above images to the store (our usual policy for our copyrighted images), I left them linked to significantly larger versions of the images.  Please feel free to use them as a reference, but please don’t use them for anything else without writing to us and asking for permission.  If you have any questions, or if you’d like to share your thoughts on this project, please leave a comment!  We’d love to hear from you.  – E.G.D.

An oldie but a goodie! Originally posted on October 27, 2011

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Posted in Beach Treasure and Seashell Crafts, Beachy Keen Art, Decorating With Beach Treasures, Seashells | Tagged: , , , , , , | 11 Comments »

A Gem of a Shell! Louisiana’s State Gemstone

Posted by E.G.D. on November 15, 2012

The Beautiful Gulf Coast of Louisiana

I’m sure that many of you remember the series of enthusiastic articles that Jody and I wrote after our summer trip to the Louisiana Gulf Coast.  We had a brilliant time shelling, the beaches were so clean and the locals were so friendly!  We found some real beachcombing gems.  Little did I know at the time, but some of the shells we found can actually be cut to make Louisiana’s state gemstone, the “Cabochon cut gemstone.”

Louisiana Gulf Coast Oyster Shells

In the summer of 2011, the governor of Louisiana signed the bill officially changing the state gemstone, which used to be the agate.  The document reads “the official state gemstone shall be the cabochon cut gemstone, derived from the Crassostrea virginica mollusk predominantly found in the waters of coastal Louisiana.”  Isn’t that neat?  Jewelry made from shells is, of course, far from a new concept, but according to Mike Nixon of the Tri-Parish Times, Anne Dale, the creator of this new variety of gemstone, “gained immediate notoriety as the first person ever to successfully achieve a cabochon cut, a domed top with a flat bottom, from a mollusk shell.”  Even more worthy of note, according to the same article “a sampling of the finished gem was entered into permanent display among the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History’s U.S. National Gem Collection on May 23″ of 2011.  It’s official, folks!  Those Louisiana oysters (Crassostrea virginica mollusks, specifically) are one gem of a shelling find, and can be made into a serious, officially recognized gem.

Louisiana Gulf Coast Oyster Shells

Now, these gems, commercially called “LaPearlite®,” are lovely, lustrous domed gems that are likely to run a buyer “from $250 to $2,000 per completed piece of jewelry” according to Mike Nixon of the Tri-Parish Times.  If you’re in the market for gemstone jewelry, that’s considered about “mid-level range.”  I did not find any photos of these gems that were not under copyright, but if you would like to see some examples, the best I found were on Anne Dale (the inventor of the gem)’s website here.  Yup, at this point, all the good examples are on a commercial website.  Sorry about that~!  In any case, even before they are cut, the shells are beautiful, and I highly recommend you pick a couple up when next you’re on a Louisiana beach.  Trust me on this, it is unlikely that you’ll have trouble finding as many as you might like to take home with you, and unlike their cut and finished counterparts, those shells on the beach are absolutely free of charge, much like diamonds in the rough at Crater of Diamonds State Park.  Incidentally, they are huge and make great soap dishes or jewelry holders.  I even attempted to use one as a dish on which to store my sunglasses, but the shell was slightly too small for the task.  Hey, if your sunglasses are small, though, I can’t see why that wouldn’t work.

Regardless of your location or your beachcombing preferences, best of luck beachcombing, everyone!  I hope you find some real gems. -E.G.D.

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Posted in Beach Treasures - Beachcombing, Gulf of Mexico Beaches, Seashells | Tagged: , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

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