Date: 2026 July
Exhibit No: 009
Exhibit Location: Cabinet of Misplaced Items
Catalogued by: d.b. waters
Description: A small bit of teal glass that fits in the palm of the hand. One surface bears a series of parallel semicircular ridges, like fragments of concentric rings. The tiny bumps feel perfect for a thumb to worry. When held to the light, the glass glows a bright pale blue-green.
This artefact was discovered by a railroad track in the American Midwest and gifted to the author by a high school romantic interest.
How was the artefact lost?: An apartment flooding incident resulted in the disposal of a precious jewelry box this artefact was stored in, along with many other treasured objects that could not be salvaged.
Additional information: At the time of its acquisition, the artefact’s origin was unknown. Subsequent research suggests it was most likely a fragment of slag glass, a byproduct of historical iron and steel melting. The blue-green coloration may have been caused by varying concentrations of iron trapped within the material during the cooling process.
A secondary hypothesis is that the fragment originated from a glass insulator once used on telegraph or utility lines, which were historically common along railroad corridors. Unfortunately, without the original artefact available for examination, it is impossible to determine whether identifying markings or manufacturer etchings were present.
The author does not recall any such markings and therefore considers the slag-glass hypothesis the more likely explanation.