Glossy or Frosted? The Finish That Makes All the Difference

When you're choosing handmade glass jewellery, the colours are often what catch your eye first. But there's another element that makes a big difference – the finish. At Beach Art Glass, you’ll notice some beads are left glossy and shiny, while others are etched for a soft, frosted look. Both are beautiful in their own way, and each brings out something completely different in the glass.

Glossy: Reflective, Bright, Full of Detail
Glossy beads are the natural result of flame-worked glass. As the molten glass cools, it sets to a smooth, mirror-like shine that reflects the light and shows off the detail inside. Transparent glossy beads especially come alive in sunlight – they sparkle, glint, and sometimes even cast a rainbow or two.

Frosted: Soft, Matte, Sea Glass Vibes
Etched beads are quite different. They have a velvety surface that doesn’t reflect the light, but glows from within instead. The effect is softer, subtler – like sea glass found on the beach. If you love that smooth, tumbled look, a frosted bead might be the one that speaks to you.

But are they sea glass? Not quite...
While frosted glass beads look similar to sea glass, they’re not the same. Sea glass is actually waste glass – often old bottles or jars – that’s been broken, worn down by the sea, and washed up on the shore. It’s lovely, but it’s accidental. My beads are created with care and intention in the flame – each one shaped, coloured, and finished by hand. They may remind you of sea glass, but they’re something more – miniature works of art, made to last.

How the etched finish is made
The frosted look is created after the bead is made, using a gentle acid bath that removes the shiny surface and leaves behind that soft matte texture. It needs to be done with great care, but the results are so worth it. It transforms a bead entirely – giving it that dreamy, ocean-weathered feel.

You can go from shiny to frosted, but not the other way round
One important thing to keep in mind – etching is permanent. A glossy bead can always be etched later if you change your mind, but once it’s been frosted, it can’t go back. So if you’re ever unsure, I’m always happy to show you the same design in both finishes, if I have it.

Whether you prefer a glint of shine or the quiet calm of frost, every finish brings out something different in the glass. And just like the sea that inspires it all, no two pieces are ever exactly the same.

Curious to see the frosted finish up close?
Take a look at the collection and find a favourite that glows softly, just like sea glass.
Explore Frosted Glass Beads