EnviroColor and Ochre
Posted by Sean Kennedy on Thu, Feb 25, 2010 @ 11:16 AM
We often get asked what are the components of your products? Check out our MSDS sheets for a chemical breakdown, but the basic ingredient is Iron Oxide pigments. These Iron oxides yield pigments. Natural iron oxides pigments are called ochres. Ochres, Ochre or Ocher (pronounced /ˈoʊkər/ OH-kər, from the Greek ὠχρός, ōkhrós, pale) is term for both a golden-yellow or light yellow brown color and for a form of earth pigment which produces the color. The pigment can also be used to create a reddish tint known as Red ochre. The more rarely used terms Purple ochre and Brown ochre also exist for variant hues. Because of these other hues, the color Ochre is sometimes referred to as Yellow ochre.
Ochres are among the earliest pigments used by mankind, derived from naturally tinted clay containing mineral oxides. Chemically, it is hydrated iron (III) oxide. Modern artists' pigments continue to use the terms Yellow ochre and Red ochre for specific hues.
Many classic paint colors, such as raw and burnt siennas and umbers, are iron-oxide pigments. These pigments have been used in art since the earliest prehistoric art known, the cave paintings at Lascaux and nearby sites. Iron (III) oxide is typically used. They are considered to be nontoxic, moisture resistant, and nonbleeding. Iron oxides graded safe for cosmetic use are produced synthetically in order to avoid the inclusion of ferrous or ferric oxides, and impurities normally found in naturally occurring iron oxides. Typically, the iron(II) oxide pigment is black, while the iron(III) oxide is red or rust-colored. Iron compounds other than oxides can have other colors.
Because of these properties it is the best and safest way to treat mulch pine straw and grass. EnviroColor® strives to provide its end user the most vibrant, long lasting and environmentally sensitive top spray colorants. There are some very interesting and entertaining uses of the Ochres throughout history. My personal favorite was learning about the Himba culture. I look forward to your discoveries about the uses of Iron Oxide pigments from the prehistoric era to our modern times.
