How Ultramarine Blue, The World's Most Expensive Color, Is Made

The Rarity and Value of Ultramarine Blue

• 💎 Ultramarine blue, derived from lapis lazuli, was historically more valuable than gold.
• 💰 Today, natural ultramarine can cost over $60 an ounce, significantly more than its synthetic counterpart, which costs around $19 for an identically sized tube.
• 🇦🇫 The primary source of lapis lazuli is mines in Afghanistan, a region facing operational uncertainty.

The Laborious Process of Creating Natural Ultramarine

• 🔬 The creation of ultramarine blue pigment from lapis lazuli is a complex and labor-intensive process, not as simple as crushing other natural pigments.
• 💧 The goal is to isolate the bright blue mineral lazerite from other minerals like pyrite and silicate, which can dilute the final color.
• 🧼 The Cennini method, an ancient technique, involves heating the lapis lazuli powder with beeswax, pine resin, mastic gum, and linseed oil to create a dough.
• 🌊 Traditionally, this dough is kneaded daily and then washed by hand to extract the lazerite, a process that yields very little pigment.

Modern Adaptations and Production

• ⚙️ While the Cennini method is reserved for specialty orders and museum restoration, pigment makers like Muhammad Eran use modified, often hands-free, methods for bulk production.
• 🏭 A ball mill is used to tumble dough balls with steel balls and hot water, aiding in the extraction of lazerite.
• 📈 Muhammad's company produces thousands of pounds of lapis lazuli pigment annually using a secret method developed over six years, yielding significantly more pigment per day than the traditional Cennini method.

Lapis Lazuli Mining and Historical Significance

• ⛰️ The largest source of lapis lazuli is the Sari Sanangi mine in Afghanistan, accessible via arduous journeys.
• ⚠️ The mines have been under Taliban control since 2021, leading to operational disruptions and concerns about funding.
• 🎨 Lapis lazuli has been used as a pigment since at least the 6th or 7th century, notably in ancient wall paintings near the Buddhas of Bamyan.
• 👑 During the Renaissance, its luxury status and association with divinity led artists like Michelangelo to use it primarily in religious art, such as the robes of the Virgin Mary.

The Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Ultramarine

• ✨ Natural lapis lazuli pigment has a crystalline structure that reflects light, resulting in a more brilliant and vivid color compared to synthetic ultramarine, which absorbs more light.
• 🎨 Some artists prefer the textural quality and unique properties of natural pigment.
• 💰 The use of natural lapis lazuli pigment can significantly increase the value of artwork, allowing artists to command higher prices.
• 📈 Demand for natural artwork and pigments has increased in recent years, partly attributed to the rise of AI, with a goal to make this beautiful pigment more accessible.