The word ultramarine is a derivative of the Latin Word ultramarines or further than the sea since this mineral was imported from Asia via the ocean route.
This blue pigment is made up of sulfides or sulfates and double silicate of sodium and aluminum. In nature, the blue healing stone angelite and the white healing stone selenite contain sulfides, but all those elements are found as one of the main constituents of lapis lazuli. History knows this pigment by a variety of names such as azzurrum ultramarine, azzurrum transmarinum, azzuro oltramarino, azur d'Acre, pierre d'azur, Lazurstein. Healing stones that contain just aluminum and sodium include kyanite, moonstone, sodalite, amethyst and alexandrite.
In the modern times this pigment is called ultramarine and natural ultramarine in English and outremer lapis in French and ultramarino verdadero in Spanish. The chemical structure of this pigment is quite complex with sulphur and sodio-silicate complex bonds. In plain language it is a limestone that has basically been mineralized. It has a mineral called lazuirite, which is one of the chief constituents of lapis lazuli. Most of the times chloride is present in the crystal lattice. The S3 radical anion has an unpaired electron, which is why the pigment is blue color.
Outremer Lapis was one of the most expensive pigment of its times. Primarily due to the fact that its extraction from Lapis Lazuli was a complex and tedious procedure. During the time of the Renaissance this pigment was more costly than gold. It was also used to adorn important paintings and statues of Christ and Madonna. Originally discovered in Afghanistan, people discovered the uses of this pigment. UMB pigment was extracted from lapis lazuli with wax and diluted bath of lye. Then these crystals are washed and collected.
Historically, ultramarine pigment made from lapis lazuli was used as an eye paint and eye make up. Egyptians used to use the pigment as raw eye powder or eye paint mixed with other colors. The raw powder was generally mixed with either animal fat or water and applied as a paste with a bone, wood or ivory stick.
Ultramarine eye powders were a rage in the ancient times as they had cosmetic and medicinal properties as well. They also had a spiritual significance since the eye make up also protected the wearer against dark forces and the evil eye.
Ultramarine pigment has generally been known to be a safe pigment since it does not have much heavy metal content and is non-toxic. This pigment is used in many applications such as eye shadow, mascara, violet lipstick, face powder and other facial make up for theatre and dramatics.
Ultramarine pigment was generally extracted from lapis lazuli, which is known as a healing stone.
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