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The Utilization Of Sea Glass As An Attractive Material In Jewelry With A Kintsugi Approach
Summary
Researchers explored the repurposing of sea glass — glass shards naturally smoothed by ocean processes over 5 to 50 years — as an aesthetic material for jewelry design, applying the Kintsugi philosophy of embracing imperfection to promote sustainable use of marine-recovered materials as an alternative to plastic.
One of the significant contributors to environmental pollution is waste from glass bottles. A potential solution to this problem is transforming glass into sea glass, consisting of glass shards that are naturally recycled by the ocean over 5 to 50 years, smoothing sharp edges. Unlike plastic, which breaks down into microplastics, the sea can recycle glass due to its high pH and the presence of sand and rocks that aid in the smoothing process. Sea glass has a positive environmental impact as a recycled material that can replace new raw materials. This study aims to develop jewelry from sea glass using the kintsugi technique, which combines glass fragments with precious metals to create aesthetic and economic value products. The research identifies market needs for attractive and sustainable jewelry through in-depth interviews with respondents. The analysis results indicate that the jewelry developed will comprise a necklace, ear cuff, and bracelet set. Therefore, developing sea glass-based jewelry using the kintsugi technique is expected to contribute to environmental preservation while enhancing the competitiveness of domestic jewelry products in the global market.