Blue is a popular color that is often associated with qualities like calmness, stability, and professionalism. However, when it comes to the monetary value of blue, many people wonder if it truly is the most expensive color. There are several factors that contribute to the high cost of blue pigments and dyes throughout history.
Historical significance of blue
The color blue has long been prized for its rarity and difficulty to produce. In medieval times, blue pigment was extremely expensive to make. The precious lapis lazuli stone had to be imported from Afghanistan to Europe at great expense. It was ground into powder to produce ultramarine, the finest and most brilliant blue pigment available at the time. This made ultramarine more valuable than gold. The Virgin Mary’s robes were always painted using ultramarine to convey her worth and status.
During the Renaissance, other blue pigments emerged, such as azurite made from grinding azurite copper ore. While cheaper than ultramarine, these other blue pigments were still far more expensive than other colors. As a result, blue became associated with royalty, power, and wealth. Only the most affluent patrons could afford to commission artworks that incorporated blue or wear blue clothing.
Rarity of blue in nature
Part of what makes blue so prized is its natural rarity. Very few plants, minerals, or animals display blue coloration without any artificial modifications. As a result, sources of natural blue dyes and pigments are very scarce. For example, the indigo plant provided most of the blue dye used for textiles before synthetic dyes were invented. But it only grows in certain tropical and subtropical climates.
Lapis lazuli, also known as ultramarine, has always been the finest source of blue pigment. But the mines in Afghanistan were the only source for centuries. This constrained supply and difficulty accessing the remote region meant lapis lazuli was wildly expensive for European painters. Other blue minerals like azurite are also relatively uncommon compared to earth pigments like ochre and umber.
The development of synthetic blue pigments and dyes in the 18th and 19th centuries made blue more affordable and accessible. Before this, blue was ten times more expensive than red and other common pigments.
Difficulty recreating blue synthetically
While various synthetic blue pigments have existed since ancient Egypt and China, recreating a stable, durable blue was challenging. Early attempts at synthetic blues were prone to fading quickly when exposed to sun or weather. Prussian blue, developed in the early 18th century, was the first modern synthetic blue pigment. But other blues like Cobalt blue (discovered in the 19th century) were very toxic. It took significant research and resources to develop affordable synthetic blues that could rival their natural counterparts.
Even today, with our advanced technology, some shades of blue remain difficult to recreate exactly with synthetic pigments. For example, YInMn blue was discovered in 2009 at Oregon State University and is one of the most durable pigments ever made. It is considered as revolutionary and important as Titian blue in the Renaissance era.
The most expensive blue pigments today
So do these historical challenges and rarity of blue in nature make it the most expensive color today? Here are some of the most valuable blue pigments currently on the market:
| Blue pigment | Cost |
|---|---|
| Lapis lazuli (natural ultramarine) | $5,000 per kilo |
| Cobalt blue (cobalt aluminate) | $4.94 per ml |
| Indanthrone blue (synthetic alternative to indigo) | $2.11 per ml |
| Phthalocyanine blue | $1.03 per ml |
| Prussian blue | $1.15 per ml |
Based on these prices, lapis lazuli remains the most expensive blue pigment by weight. However, other blues like cobalt blue are more expensive when comparing prices by volume. So the most expensive blue depends on the comparison being made.
Overall, blues are still some of the most expensive pigments. But colors like certain reds, browns, and violets can also be very pricey depending on the pigment. For example, natural vermilion is made from crushed cinnabar mineral and was once valued more than gold.
Why are blues still prized by artists?
While synthetic blues have made the color more affordable, natural ultramarine made from lapis lazuli is still treasured by painters. Artisanal paint-makers still produce ultramarine by hand the traditional way, giving it a prestige unmatched by synthetic blues.
Natural ultramarine has a brilliance, intensity, and depth of color that many artists find unique even among other natural pigments. At the same time, it mixes cleanly with other colors without muddying the way some synthetic blues do.
Renaissance-era painters only used ultramarine for the Virgin Mary’s cloak as well as important commissions for royal patrons. Today, artists still view ultramarine as the finest quality blue money can buy. The beauty and rarity of the lapis lazuli stone adds to its mystique and value.
Value of blue in commerce
Beyond visual arts, blue plays a significant role in product marketing and branding. Studies show that the color blue evokes feelings of trust, security, and reliability. Blue is the favorite color of 35% of consumers worldwide.
Major brands like Facebook, Dell, Ford, Samsung, and IBM use various blues in their logos and product designs. Rather than being perceived as aloof as in ancient times, blues now convey professionalism, competence, and integrity to customers.
As a result, research suggests customers are more likely to choose products packaged in blue over other colors:
– 73% prefer blue when choosing between blue and green products.
– Blue packaging increases the perceived healthfulness of food by 11%.
This preference for blue impacts pricing. A 2010 study found that a virtually identical product priced $2.50 more when displayed in blue packaging versus white. This effect was consistent across thousands of products tested.
Most and least expensive blue products
This theory holds true when comparing prices of various blue products against cheaper alternatives:
| Product | Blue version price | Cheaper color alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Bic ballpoint pen | $2.49 | Black – $0.10 |
| Post-it Notes | $4.99 | Yellow – $1.99 |
| Portable Bluetooth speaker | $99.00 | Black – $49.99 |
| KitchenAid stand mixer | $299.99 | White – $199.99 |
However, for some products like cars, blue is not always the most expensive color option. This may be attributed to different consumer associations with various shades of blue.
| Car model | Blue version price | More expensive color |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | $25,965 | Red – $26,165 |
| Ford F-150 | $40,005 | Black – $40,655 |
| Tesla Model 3 | $59,990 | Red – $62,990 |
Conclusion
While blue has an illustrious history of being rare and expensive to produce, synthetics have made most blues affordable today. Specific shades and applications make blue still highly desirable and prized though. The color commands premium pricing for certain products and remains the first choice for renowned artists seeking the finest azurite and lapis lazuli pigments.
Blue is not uniformly the most expensive color. But its privileged status endures for certain usage contexts like branding and luxury goods. This stems from blue’s enduring associations with qualities like trustworthiness that consumers continue responding positively towards. For all these reasons, the question of whether blue is the most expensive color remains a complex one with no universal answer.
