Cobalt Pink

Description

Cobalt Carbonate is a delicate pink pigment derived from cobalt(II) carbonate (CoCO₃). When finely ground, it produces a soft rose-to-dusty pink hue with cool undertones. As a pigment, it has relatively low tinting strength but provides a subtle, mineral quality unlike brighter organic pinks.

In watercolor, it appears semi-transparent and slightly granulating, giving a gentle pastel wash. In oils and acrylics, it behaves as a semi-opaque pigment with muted, earthy pinks that mix beautifully into flesh tones and atmospheric tints.

History

Cobalt compounds were first industrially prepared in the 18th and 19th centuries, most famously for blues and violets. Cobalt carbonate itself has been widely used in ceramics and glassmaking as a colorant, producing strong pinks and reds when calcined.

While it was never as common in historical palettes as cobalt blue or cobalt violet, cobalt carbonate developed a niche use among painters and enamelers seeking a stable, mineral-based pink. In painting, it functions more as a subtle blending and glazing pigment than a high-chroma color.

Today, it remains primarily a ceramic and enamel colorant but is also valued by artisanal pigment makers for its gentle, historically grounded hue.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Synthetic Inorganic

Chemical Composition: CoCO₃ (Cobalt(II) Carbonate)

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Oil, Tempera, Acrylic, Encaustic, Ceramics, Enamels

Lightfastness: Excellent

Opacity: Semi-Transparent to Semi-Opaque

Other Names: Pink Cobalt, Cobalt Pink, Cobalt Carbonate Pink

Color Index Code: N/A