Cobalt blue and navy are two shades of blue that are quite similar. Though they may appear identical at first glance, there are some key differences between these two classic blue tones. In this article, we will explore what defines cobalt blue and navy, how they are produced, where they are used, and how to tell them apart. With some background knowledge, it becomes easier to understand the distinction between these two popular blues.
Defining Cobalt Blue
Cobalt blue refers to a rich, vivid shade of blue that has been used as a pigment in paintings and dyes since ancient times. The name comes from the use of cobalt oxide to produce the distinctive blue color. Cobalt had been used to color glass and ceramics long before the pigment was able to be manufactured.
Once chemists determined how to extract the cobalt ore and process it, cobalt blue became available as a artists’ pigment by the early 19th century. The vivid blue was expensive to produce initially but became more affordable over time. Unlike other blue pigments that could fade or alter over time, the stability of cobalt blue made it a favorite of painters.
Cobalt blue is considered a primary color and sits between ultramarine and cerulean on the color wheel. When used in painting or dyeing, it has excellent hiding power and mixing abilities. The pigment absorbs yellow and orange light while reflecting back blue. This results in the solid, saturated blue that can not be diluted easily.
Defining Navy Blue
Navy blue refers to a darker shade of blue that was standardized through its use in British naval uniforms. The uniforms of the Royal Navy were dyed using indigo dye, resulting in the deep, rich blue color that came to be called navy blue. Though other militaries used blue in their uniforms, the British navy helped establish navy blue as a distinct shade.
Unlike cobalt blue which contains cobalt oxide, navy blue can be created through combinations of dye ingredients. Modern navy blue fabric dye contains a mixture of indigo and blue dyes to create the dark blue color. On the color wheel, navy blue sits between ultramarine and Prussian blue. It is considered a suitable substitute for black in many design applications.
The key distinction between navy blue and cobalt blue is the depth and darkness of the color. Navy blue is a noticeably darker blue than vibrant cobalt. However, the two blues are close enough on the color spectrum that some confusion exists between the names.
Cobalt Blue vs Navy Blue
While cobalt blue and navy blue may appear similar, there are some visible differences upon closer inspection:
– Cobalt blue is brighter and more vibrant than navy blue. It has more intensity and saturation.
– Navy blue is noticeably darker and deeper than cobalt blue. It absorbs more light which gives it a darker look.
– Cobalt blue has a red or violet undertone while navy blue has a green undertone. The different undertones impact the color intensity.
– When placed side by side, cobalt blue stands out more while navy blue recedes. Cobalt blue draws the eye with its vividness.
– Cobalt blue is a primary color made with cobalt oxide while navy blue is a secondary color created by combining dyes. The composition leads to slight differences in the final shades.
So in summary, cobalt blue is lighter, brighter, and contains more pure pigment than the darker, muted navy blue. There can be some overlap between the two colors but most people would be able to spot the differences when viewing swatches or samples side by side.
How Cobalt Blue is Produced
Cobalt blue’s defining characteristic is its use of cobalt oxide to provide the rich blue color. Here is an overview of how the pigment is manufactured:
Mining Cobalt Ore
Cobalt oxide cannot be produced without first mining raw cobalt. Major deposits of cobalt ore are located in Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other sources include Canada, Australia, Russia, and the Philippines. The cobalt ore is mined from these geologic sources.
Extracting Cobalt Oxide
Once the raw ore is mined, the cobalt must be extracted from the mineral mix. This is done by crushing the ore into a powder and dissolving it in acid solutions to separate the cobalt. Further steps are taken to remove impurities and isolate the cobalt.
Oxidizing to Cobalt Oxide
The purified cobalt then undergoes oxidation, which introduces oxygen atoms and converts the cobalt to cobalt oxide. This oxidizing process is key to allowing the blue pigment to form.
Precipitating the Pigment
Other compounds like silica may be added to the cobalt oxide which is then precipitated out into a fine powder. This powder can be used as-is or further processed into a pigment paste for use in paint and dye. The precipitation and washing result in very pure cobalt blue pigment.
Color Properties
The final cobalt oxide pigment absorbs yellow, orange, and red light while reflecting back blue and violet light. This gives it an intense blue color with richness and hiding power. The stability of the cobalt allows the color to remain unchanged over centuries. All of these properties make it an ideal, if expensive, blue pigment.
How Navy Blue is Produced
While cobalt blue relies on cobalt oxide, navy blue can be produced from a variety of dye ingredients. Here are a few common methods used to create navy blue fabric dyes:
Indigo Dye
Natural indigo, extracted from certain plant species, can be used alone to produce a deep blue dye close to navy. The more indigo used, the darker the blue becomes. As the traditional dye for denim, indigo perfectly captures the classic navy blue tone.
Indigo and Woad
Woad is another blue plant dye that can be combined with indigo to create navy dye. Historically, woad was used together with indigo to lower costs as woad was more widely available in Europe. The mix of indigo and woad results in the right shade for navy blue.
Synthetic Indigo
Today most blue jeans are dyed with synthetic indigo, which mimics the effects of natural indigo at a lower cost. The synthetic indigo is blended with other blue dye compounds to create a navy blue dye for denim and other fabrics.
Acid Blue 25
This petroleum-based blue dye has properties that help enhance and stabilize the navy blue color. It is often added to a dye recipe along with other blue and violet dyes to create a long-lasting navy color.
The essential point is that navy blue arises from a skilled blend of available blue dyes. While the dyes used have shifted over time, the resulting deep navy shade has remained incredibly popular and versatile.
Usage of Cobalt Blue vs Navy Blue
The two blues have some overlap in usage and other areas where one color dominates over the other:
Cobalt Blue Usage
– Art and painting – Cobalt blue is known as a painter’s color and used widely to achieve a vivid blue. Artists such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso all used the color in their works.
– Porcelain/china – Cobalt oxide gives porcelain and china a signature blue color that is highly desirable. Blue and white porcelain is embellished with cobalt blue.
– Glass – Cobalt has been used since ancient times to color glass blue. Cobalt glass stands out with its brilliant blue tone.
– Inks and dyes – Cobalt-based dyes and inks produce stable, intense blue colors. However, the cost limits its use.
Navy Blue Usage
– Military uniforms – Navy blue became its name after being used extensively in British naval uniforms, though many militaries use it.
– Corporate branding – Navy blue conjures feelings of trust and authority and is widely used in corporate logos and brand imagery.
– Evening wear – Darker navy blue has long been used for formal evening attire, harkening back to its sophisticated, uniform roots.
– Denim jeans – The vast majority of blue jeans are dyed in a navy blue wash, whether dark or light. Navy blue is quintessentially tied to denim.
So while cobalt blue dominates applications like china and glass, navy blue is the leading choice for uniforms, corporate identities, and clothing dye. The lower cost and darker shade give navy blue more versatility in these key areas.
Distinguishing Between Cobalt and Navy
Because cobalt blue and navy blue are so visually similar, it can be tricky to tell them apart at a glance. Here are some tips for identifying one versus the other:
– Compare brightness – Cobalt blue will appear significantly more bright and vivid than navy when viewed beside each other
– Analyze undertones – Cobalt has more reddish undertones while navy leans toward green/teal undertones
– Observe light absorption – Navy absorbs more light than cobalt, looking darker and less intense
– Consider application – More artistic applications likely mean cobalt, while corporate and uniforms mean navy
– Detect price differential – The higher cost of true cobalt blue means consumer goods most likely use cheaper navy blue
– View metameric matches – Colors that match under one light may reveal differences under another light source
– Get lab analysis – For absolute confirmation, a spectrophotometer can analyze the exact color composition
So in summary, cobalt blue is able to be distinguished from navy blue based on visual observations of brightness, undertones, and absorption along with analysis of the color’s origin and price point. Lab testing offers definitive identification but visual cues allow most people to reliably tell the two shades apart.
Conclusion
While at first glance cobalt blue and navy blue may seem interchangeable, they are distinct colors with key differences. Cobalt blue is a primary color made from cobalt oxide known for its brightness and intensity. Navy blue is a darker, secondary blue most associated with naval uniforms and denim fabric. Cobalt has ties to art and porcelain while navy is often used in corporate branding and formalwear. Comparison of the undertones, prices, and applications allows for easy differentiation between the two blue shades. So the next time these two similar blues are compared, the ability to distinguish cobalt blue from navy blue is now clear.
