History of Blue

Egyptian Juglet, ca. 1750–1640 B.C.

Blue is considered to be the first synthetically produced color pigment. Egyptian blue (cuprorivaite) was created around 2,200 B.C. It was made from ground limestone mixed with sand and a copper mineral, such as azurite or malachite, then heated between 1470 and 1650°F. The result was an opaque blue glass which was then crushed and combined with thickening agents such as egg whites to create a paint or glaze.

The history of ultramarine began around 6,000 years ago when the semi-precious gemstone it was made from—lapis lazuli—began to be imported by the Egyptians from Afghanistan. The Egyptians tried and failed to turn it into a paint, with each attempt resulting in gray. Instead, they used it to make jewelry and headdresses. Also known as “true blue” lapis lazuli first appeared as a pigment in the 6th century and was used in Buddhist paintings in Afghanistan. It was renamed ultramarine—in Latin: ultramarinus, meaning “beyond the sea”. It remained extremely expensive until a synthetic ultramarine was invented in 1826 by a French chemist, who then named it “French Ultramarine.” Cobalt blue dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries, and was then used to color ceramics and jewelry.

A purer alumina-based version was later discovered in 1802 with commercial production beginning in France in 1807.