Seri Blue—An Explanation

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe essential ingredients in making Seri Blue are: (1) an inorganic naturally-occurring mineral substance consisting largely of a random mixed layer clay; (2) resin from Guaiacum coulteri; and (3) water. Experimentation demonstrates that this resin will react with several clay varieties to produce varying shades of blue. It is interesting to note that attapulgite, the clay base in the mysterious blue pigment, Maya Blue, also reacts. This fact, coupled with the reported distribution of Guaiacum species from Sonora to Yucatan, suggests possible new approaches for those seeking to shed additional light on the problem of blue pigments.