PR 259 – ultramarine pink

One of the most lightfast red organic pigments

Manufacturer/ product code:  Kremer / 42601
Chemical Description:  sodium-aluminum-sulfo-silicate
Color: red
Color Index: PR 259
Date:  —

PR 259 – Ultramarine Pink is an inorganic pigment belonging to the ultramarine family, a group of pigments based on a sodium aluminosilicate lattice containing sulfur species as chromophores. Unlike the traditional blue ultramarine, PR 259 is produced through controlled modification of the sulfur radicals within the crystal structure, resulting in a delicate pink to violet-pink coloration. This makes it a distinctive and relatively uncommon member of the red pigment category.

Chemically, PR 259 shares the same aluminosilicate framework as other ultramarines, conferring excellent thermal stability and resistance to light. However, like all ultramarine pigments, it is sensitive to acids, which can destroy the sulfur chromophores and cause discoloration. In alkaline and neutral environments, the pigment remains stable, making it suitable for fresco, lime-based materials, plastics, and many modern paint systems.

In artistic applications, Ultramarine Pink is valued less for chromatic strength and more for its unique optical character. It typically exhibits low tinting strength and moderate opacity, producing soft, pastel-like tones rather than saturated reds. When mixed with whites, it yields delicate pinks and lilacs; when combined with blues or violets, it can enhance cool, airy color harmonies. Its granular particle structure can also contribute subtle texture effects in watercolor and other water-based media.