It’s happened! And it’s Bluetiful!

This has been a question on my mind for quite some time now.  I’ve always wondered whether there are more colors.  I know our perception of color is based on reflection. The surface of an object reflects some colors and absorbs all the others. We perceive only the reflected colors.  So, the structure of the object plays an important role.  Think about the number of blue animals or plants.  Not many.

Introducing YInMn Blue!

For the first time in 200 years a new blue has been found!  It’s named after its chemical components of yttrium, indium and manganese oxides.  YInMn absorbs red and green wavelengths while reflecting blue wavelengths to produce a bright blue color.

I don’t think I’ll be adding it to my palette soon.  It costs around $180 for a 1.3 ounce tube.  (That’s smaller than the travel size of toothpaste.)

There’s a quirky, wonderful video of the chemist, Mas Subramanian discussing how his team stumbled upon this blue while developing materials for use in electronics.  It’s part of an article in the Smithsonian Magazine.  You can read and watch it HERE.

A wonderful example of how an open mind and releasing the focus on the “goal” can lead to Bluetiful mistakes!

XOXO,

Francesca

PS:  Crayola gave a nod to the discovery and added a new blue to their box.  Bluetiful!