Help Nature Make Glass
Drinking glasses and windows are made of Soda-lime glass. It uses silica, Sodium Oxide and Calcium Oxide. All might be found naturally in beach sand. A lightning strike will heat it to the needed 3500 degrees to make glass.
Sticking lightning rods into beach sand can get you glass, yes, but do find out if you need permits before poking lightening rods into the beach.
1. Set your lightning rods 18 inches beneath the surface well before the storm hits, then leave the area.
2. After 24 hours from the end of the storm, dig up your nature melted glass, carefully. It will be hollow, thus fragile, and still hot. Use gloves to gently rinse the sand away.
3. After it has cooled completely, polish gently and enjoy your nature enhanced glass! More info: glass art sacramento