Red Pigment Of Cinnabar

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Cinnabar, also known as vermillion, is a bright red pigment made of the Cinnabar mineral which is chemically a mercury sulphide compound. Cinnabar (HgS), main ore of mercury is crushed and ground to powder which serves directly as a pigment. The ore is found in Central India. 1.2.1.1.1.2 Red Ochre (Geru) Red Ochre (Geru in Hindi) is a pigment abundantly used in Indian paintings. Its deposits are found in almost all parts of India. The colour of red ochre is not as bright as that of Cinnabar but it is found in several hues. Its use in India since very early times as can be seen from the fact that red-ochre is also known as Indian red. There are both anhydrous (Fe2O3) and hydrous (Fe2O3.nH2O) forms of red ochre. The anhydrous oxide is red while …show more content…

Chemically it is copper carbonate and is found associated with copper ore. To prepare the pigment, the stone is carefully selected, ground and sieved. Copper ore occurs in Singhbhum and Chhota Nagpur in Jharkhand, Nellore and Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, Khetri in Rajasthan, in outer Himalayas, Kumaon, Sikkim (India), and Nepal. The copper ores by surface alterations change into Malachite, Azurite etc. 1.2.1.1.3.3 Vedgiris Vedgiris was a common pigment used in Mughal paintings and later in miniature paintings. It has also been used on textiles. It is prepared by the action of vinegar on copper foils. In composition, it is the normal acetate of copper. The pigment obtained is very bright and deep green. However, it has a disadvantage that it chars the paper or textile if not used carefully. 1.2.1.1.4 Blue pigments 1.2.1.1.4.1 Ultramarine Blue Ultramarine blue (Lajward in Hindi) is obtained from the mineral lapis lazuli, which is semi-precious stone. It has been used in miniature paintings in India. Lapis lazuli was imported to India from …show more content…

In India, charcoal prepared from the twigs and woods of tamarind tree after burning in a closed pot, is powdered to make black pigment. Some other substances which after charring were used for preparing black pigment are the shells of almonds and coconuts. The charcoal so produced is soft and gives homogeneous and fine black pigment. 1.2.1.1.6.2 Lamp Black By far, the most important black used India is ‘Kajal’ prepared by burning oil in a lamp and depositing the soot on an earthen bowl. 1.2.1.1.6.3 Ivory Black Ivory black is prepared by charring ivory cuttings in a closed earthen pot and then grinding, washing and drying black residue. The black so prepared is very intense. It is not favoured now for ecological and animal rights considerations. 1.2.1.1.6.4 Bone Black Bone black is prepared by charring animal bones in closed earthen pots. It is not as intense as ivory black but used as a substitute. 1.2.1.1.6.5 Graphite Powdered graphite, a mineral found in different parts of India, has been used as a writing material. It gives a dull grey pigment. However, it has mostly been used for drawing rather than for painting. Graphite deposits are known to occur in Bihar, Kerala, Orissa, Rajasthan and

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