The color blue is known for its relaxing properties. It gives a feeling of depth, such as the skies and the ocean. When someone is said to be "singing the blues," they are said to be a state of deep relaxation (or depression) - and almost everyone likes at least one shade of blue. So what makes up the color blue? What exactly are the pigments in blue paint that make up such a large part of our world's color palette?
Azurite
A deep blue found in nature, Azurite is usually found in the form of a stalactite. A carbonate of copper, it's sometimes referred to as Chessylite. It's been used in jewelry, but because it's a very soft mineral it loses carbon dioxide and water during heating, turning it black, making it undesirable.
Cerulean
A lighter shade of blue often used by artists when painting skies, it is made by mixing cobaltous chloride with potassium stannate, silica, and calcium sulfate. A good example of a bright cerulean blue can be found in your child's crayon box.
Cobalt Blue
A mixture of cobalt (II) oxide and aluminum oxide, cobalt blue is commonly used in making glassware and as a pigment used in concrete mixes. It's also used in ophthalmology when looking for corneal ulcers. Cobalt is quite toxic when inhaled or digested, making it necessary for users to take safety precautions before beginning.
Egyptian Blue
Made famous by the ancient Egyptians, this blue is a synthetic made by mixing lime, copper, silica, and alkali. It's used heavily in coloring things from paper to clay pots. Ancestral items found have shown that Egyptian Blue stands the test of time.
Prussian Blue
Made of iron, cyanide, and water, Prussian Blue is used to paint areas that are in need of darker shades. It tends to be closer to the blacks and purples on the color palate. Originally used in printing blueprints, it was found to fade over time once exposed to air and light.
Ultramarine
A natural pigment made of sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulfate, also known as lapis lazuli. Discovered in Afghanistan mines about 6000 years ago, it has been used in jewelry making as well as a pigment.
While the amounts of each pigment needed vary depending on the desired shade, at least one of these ingredients is typically necessary when making blue paint.
Azurite
A deep blue found in nature, Azurite is usually found in the form of a stalactite. A carbonate of copper, it's sometimes referred to as Chessylite. It's been used in jewelry, but because it's a very soft mineral it loses carbon dioxide and water during heating, turning it black, making it undesirable.
Cerulean
A lighter shade of blue often used by artists when painting skies, it is made by mixing cobaltous chloride with potassium stannate, silica, and calcium sulfate. A good example of a bright cerulean blue can be found in your child's crayon box.
Cobalt Blue
A mixture of cobalt (II) oxide and aluminum oxide, cobalt blue is commonly used in making glassware and as a pigment used in concrete mixes. It's also used in ophthalmology when looking for corneal ulcers. Cobalt is quite toxic when inhaled or digested, making it necessary for users to take safety precautions before beginning.
Egyptian Blue
Made famous by the ancient Egyptians, this blue is a synthetic made by mixing lime, copper, silica, and alkali. It's used heavily in coloring things from paper to clay pots. Ancestral items found have shown that Egyptian Blue stands the test of time.
Prussian Blue
Made of iron, cyanide, and water, Prussian Blue is used to paint areas that are in need of darker shades. It tends to be closer to the blacks and purples on the color palate. Originally used in printing blueprints, it was found to fade over time once exposed to air and light.
Ultramarine
A natural pigment made of sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulfate, also known as lapis lazuli. Discovered in Afghanistan mines about 6000 years ago, it has been used in jewelry making as well as a pigment.
While the amounts of each pigment needed vary depending on the desired shade, at least one of these ingredients is typically necessary when making blue paint.
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