What Is Ultramarine Blue Pigments?
Ultramarine, also known as ultramarine blue pigments, is an inorganic pigment derived from the mineral lapis lazuli. It is composed of complex sodium aluminosilicates with sulfide and sulfate ions, known for its vivid deep blue color.
This pigment gained fame as “Vermeer blue” due to its use by the painter Johannes Vermeer in many of his renowned works.
Uses of Ultramarine Blue Pigments
Ultramarine blue pigments are primarily used for their intense blue color in various applications, including water-based paints, printing inks, and other paints. It is also employed in the coloring of paper, rubber, plastics, and textiles like wallpaper and chintz, as well as in murals and tableaux.
Synthetically produced ultramarine blue is made from a mixture of materials such as ochre, sodium carbonate, sulfur, and charcoal. These synthetic variants are cost-effective and widely used in mass-produced products across different industries.
Due to its non-toxic nature, ultramarine blue is also utilized in cosmetics.