Organic Pigments and Inorganic Pigments

Color pigments are divided into two broad categories: organic and inorganic.

Inorganic pigments include oxides, sulfides and other chemical compounds that are highly insoluble. Most inorganic pigments, such as zinc oxide and cobalt blue, are made synthetically. Nevertheless, there are also naturally occurring inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide yellow, which is used in many different varnishes. Iron oxides are quite possibly the most important type of oxide pigments because their color spectrum, which ranges from yellow to orange to black, pigment red, and covers all colors and mixed colors.

Inorganic pigments are generally less vibrant and lighter in color than their organic counterparts.

The latter group consists of complex compounds with organic ligands as well as other molecules. Organic pigments can be extracted from natural sources or produced synthetically.

Natural pigments are extracted from plants or animals. Some of the most well-known examples include indigo, chlorophyll, henna, ultramarine and wood extracts. Natural organic pigments can either be independent or form complexes with carbohydrate or protein molecules.

Synthetic pigments are made artificially, meaning that they can be designed to cover a wide range of colors and shades. Some examples includes azo pigments and polycyclic pigments.