Prussian Blue LUX, PB 27

Also known as Paris, Milori, or Berlin Blue. 

Around 1704, the Berlin-based colorman Johann Jacob Diesbach accidentally synthesized a brilliantly dark blue not from crushed rock, but through a gruesome alchemy of iron salts and slaughterhouse cattle blood. Known chemically as Pigment Blue 27, it has haunted the painter's palette under a dozen aliases ever since—Prussian Blue, Paris Blue, Milori Blue, and Berlin Blue. Yet, despite its heavy, bodily origins, it is a notoriously temperamental material. PB27 demands a strictly pH-neutral environment. Introduce this pigment to harsh acids, caustic alkalis, or high heat, and its complex chemistry simply collapses.

Caution: Highly dispersive and aggressively staining. Open packaging gently to prevent airborne spread. Requires a wetting agent for proper hydration. Keep strictly isolated from acid.

• Chemical description: Inorganic pigment
• Chemical Formula: C18Fe7N18
• Lightfastness - thinned: 8 (1 is bad, 8 is best)
• Lightfastness - medium: 8 (1 is bad, 8 is best)
• Lightfastness - concentrated: 8 (1 is bad, 8 is best)
• ColorIndex: PB 27.77510
• Suitability: Acrylics, Oil, Tempera, Watercolor / Gouache