Black Iron Oxide Pigment

Black iron oxide is a high-quality, fine powdered pigment, highly regarded for its purity and safety in cosmetic use. It is produced synthetically to avoid impurities such as ferrous or ferric oxides, arsenic, lead, and other toxic elements commonly found in naturally occurring iron oxides.

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"Perfect True black!! Doesn’t turn grey like every other black I’ve used. 10/10 recommend!!"
— Chelsea M. (verified)

Just a little amount of black iron oxide pigment goes a long way. Start with small quantities and gradually increase to achieve the desired pigmentation while avoiding over-saturation.

Fun fact: Black iron oxide is magnetic!

Rublev Colours black oxide is a dense, opaque pigment that offers permanent coloration. Unlike carbon blacks, it has a cool to neutral undertone, wets easily, and is non-greasy. These characteristics make it an especially useful pigment whenever these specific qualities are preferred.

Pigment Names

Common Names:

English: black oxide
French: oxyde noir
German: Oxid Schwarzes
Italian: ossido nero
Japanese: 黒酸化物
Portuguese: óxido preto
Spanish: óxido negro

Alternate Names:

English: black iron oxide, iron oxide
French: fer oxydé, naturelle noir Indien

Mars black is another name for synthetic black iron oxide.

Origin and History

Black oxide is a relatively modern development in the field of pigments, having been introduced to artist palettes only in the nineteenth century.

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Source

The primary source of black oxide is magnetite, a naturally occurring iron ore also known as lodestone. Magnetite is a ferrous ferric oxide (ferrosic oxide) that is characterized by its heavy, black appearance. In comparison to red oxide, black iron oxide contains slightly more iron metal but less than yellow oxide. The native mineral can also contain varying amounts of manganese, sulfur, clay, and silica.

Permanence and Compatibility

Black oxide is renowned for its permanence in all artistic uses. It is compatible with other pigments and works well across various mediums.

Oil Absorption and Grinding

Black oxide has a moderately low oil absorption rate. The ratio is 10–15 parts by weight of linseed oil to 100 parts by weight of pigment. For instance, 100 grams of pigment would require 10 to 15 grams of linseed oil to create a stiff paste. This results in an average drying oil paint that forms a hard, fairly flexible film.

Toxicity

Black oxide is generally considered non-toxic. However, it’s advisable to handle the dry powder pigment with care to avoid inhaling the dust.

Rublev Colours Pigment: Black Oxide

Pigment Information:

Color: Black
Colour Index: Pigment Black 11
Chemical Name: Ferrous ferric oxide produced from magnetite
Chemical Formula: Fe3O4

ASTM Lightfastness Rating

Acrylic: I
Oil: I
Watercolor: I

Properties

Density: 5.15
Hardness (Mohs): 5.5–6.0
Refractive Index: n=2.42

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