Table 2.
Structure, formula, main characteristic Raman peak(s) or doublet wavenumber of crystalline pigments; period of use is given.
| Color | Structural Type | Formula 1 | Main Raman Peaks 3/cm−1 | Period of Use/Century |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opacifier(white) | Cassiterite 2 | SnO2 | 635–775 | Roman |
| Baddaleyite | ZrO2 | 180–190 | 20th | |
| Zirconia (stabilized) | ZrO2:Ca,Mg | 265 | 20th | |
| Apatite | (Na,K,Ca)1Pb4(AsO4)3 | 815 | <18th | |
| Rutile 2 | TiO2 | 445–610 | 20th | |
| Zircon | ZrSiO4 | 1009 | 20th | |
| Whitlockite | Ca3(PO4)2 | 965 | <17th | |
| Wollastonite | CaSiO4 | 635–970 | 18th | |
| Fluorite | CaF2 | 320 | Medieval | |
| CaSb2O6 | 671 | Roman | ||
| CaSb2O7 | 482–633 | Roman | ||
| Yellow | Pyrochlore | Pb2(Sb,Sn,Fe,Si)12O7-δ | 130 to 140 | Renaissance |
| Pb(Sn,Fe,Si)1O4 | 130 to 140 | Antiquity | ||
| Zircon | (Zr,V)1SiO4 | 1009 | >1960 | |
| Zircon | (Zr,Pr)1SiO4 | 1009 | >1960 | |
| Baddeleyite | (Zr,V)O2 | 180–190 | 20th | |
| Rutile | (Ti,Ni,S)1O2 | 445–610 | 20th | |
| Cassiterite | (Sn,V)O2 | 635–775 | 20th | |
| Wurtzite | CdS | 275 | 20th | |
| PbUO4 | circa 830 | 19th | ||
| Sphene | CaSnSiO5 | 580 | 20th | |
| ZnCrO4 | 840 | >~1850 | ||
| Blue | Hauyne, lazurite 4 | Na8(Al6Si6O24)Sn | 542–1090 | Antiquity |
| Zeolite | Na8(Al8Si8O32)Sn | 19th | ||
| Olivine | Co2SiO4 | 810–830 | 18th | |
| Phenacite | (Co,Zn)12SiO4 | 19th | ||
| Spinel | CoAl2O4 | 690 | End of 18th | |
| Spinel | (Co,Zn)1Al2O4 | 690 | 19th | |
| Zircon | (Zr,V)1SiO4 | 1009 | >1950 | |
| BaMnO4 | ? | 20th | ||
| Green | Yellow pigment in blue matrix | See above | 18th | |
| Garnet | 3CaO.Cr2O3.3SiO2 | ~750 | data | |
| Olivine | Ni2SiO4 | ~850 | 20th | |
| Corundum | Cr2O3 | ~540 | 19th | |
| Spinel | Co(Cr,Ti)12O4 | 700–800 | 19th | |
| Red | Corundum 2,4 | (Fe,Al,X)12O3 | 200–300 | Antiquity |
| Wurtzite | CdSe | 190 | 20th | |
| Wurtzite | Cd(S,Se)1 | 190–275 | 20th | |
| metal | Au° | - | 17th | |
| metal | Cu° | - | Roman | |
| Pink | Sphene | CaO.SnO2.SiO2:Cr | 750–940 | 19th |
| Corundum | (Al,Mn)12O3 | ~420–750 | 20th | |
| Blue | Spinel | Zn(Al,Cr)2O4 | 630–850 | <18th |
| Zircon | (Zr,Fe)1SiO4 | 1009 | 20th | |
| Gray | Cassiterite 2 | (Sn,Sb)1O2 | 635–775 | 20th |
| Brown | Spinel | Fe2TiO4 | 650–700 | 20th |
| Spinel | (Zn,Ni,Fe)1FeO4 | 650–700 | <18th | |
| Rutile | (Ti,Mn,Cr,S,Nb)1O2 | 450–600 | 20th | |
| Black | Spinel | CuCr2O4 | 450–600 | 19th |
| Spinel 4 | (Co,Fe)(Fe,Cr)12O4 | 450–600 | <18th | |
| Spinel 4 | (Fe,Mn)(Fe,Cr,Mn)12O4 | 450–600 | <18th | |
| CuO | 300–350 | <18th | ||
| disordered | C | 1350–1590 | <18th |
1 The relative content of elements given within brackets is not given; they vary from less than 0.01 to 0.5. 2 The structure of rutile and cassiterite are similar; hematite belongs to corundum structure. 3 Representative wavenumber of the stronger peaks; wavenumber can be shifted as a function of the laser excitation wavelength and precise non-stoichiometry/composition. 4 Synthetic or natural compound.