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PR102—Natural Light Red Iron Oxide

Pigment Type

inorganic, natural

Chemical Name

iron oxide

Chemical Formula

Fe₂O₂

Properties

Natural Light Red Iron Oxide is a brick red pigment with a bright, scarlet top tone. Mineral sources vary considerably in both hue and transparency. It is generally opaque and has great tinting strength and hiding power, but more transparent versions are available. It creates salmon pinks when mixed with white. Natural Light Red Iron Oxide is often replaced by Mars colors or bright red oxides, which are cleaner and more powerful.

Permanence

Natural Light Red Iron Oxide has excellent permanence and lightfastness.

Toxicity

Natural Light Red Iron Oxide has no significant hazards.

History

Natural red iron oxide comes from the mineral ore hematite, called bloodstone by the ancient Greeks from the word hema, meaning blood. It is one of the oldest pigments, has been used by every major civilization, and was an important mineral for medieval alchemists. It was not widely used in artists' materials until the 17th century and was not produced in large quantities until the 18th century.

Alternate Names

Antwerp Red, Bole, Light Red, Colcothar, English Red, Morelle Salt, Persian Red, Persian Gulf Oxide, Poliment, Pompeian Red, Prussian Brown, Prussian Red, Red Iron Oxide, Sinopia, Spanish Red, Turkey Red.