vivianite

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Vivianite

This page presents the Spectroscopic analysis of this pigment.
The pigment has been examined using XRF spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and Reflectance Spectroscopy. These complementary techniques provide valuable insights into the pigment’s composition and structure.
This page aims to show which analytical methods are most effective for identifying this pigment in artworks and historical materials. By comparing results across different techniques, it serves as a practical reference for Heritage Science, Conservation, and Pigment Analysis.

Vivianite was rarely used on European easel paintings, mostly by medieval German and English artists.

Manufacturer / product code: Kremer 104000
Chemical description: hydrated iron phosphate.
Color: blue
Color Index: N/A
More info: Kremer PDF

Vivianite is a naturally occurring hydrated iron phosphate mineral, with the chemical formula Fe₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O, historically used as a blue to blue-green pigment. In its freshly formed state, vivianite is nearly colorless or pale green, but it gradually develops an intense blue coloration upon oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) to ferric iron (Fe³⁺). This unusual color-forming mechanism distinguishes vivianite from most traditional blue pigments and makes its appearance strongly dependent on environmental conditions. Vivianite occurs in waterlogged, oxygen-poor environments, such as peat bogs, clay deposits, and burial contexts, and is often associated with organic remains. Its use as a pigment has been documented in limited contexts, including ancient wall paintings, polychrome sculpture, and archaeological materials, particularly in Northern Europe. Because of its sensitivity to light, oxygen, and humidity, vivianite is chemically unstable and prone to color change, ranging from pale blue to deep indigo and eventually to greenish or brownish tones. From an analytical standpoint, vivianite can be identified through its characteristic iron and phosphorus composition, as well as its optical behavior and phase transformations under exposure. For conservators and scientists, vivianite presents both a rare historical pigment and a complex case study in mineral alteration and long-term color instability in artworks.

Raman Spectroscopy 532 nm – ElviRa Spectrometer for Art

Raman Spectroscopy 532 nm (ElviRa spectrometer) Pigments-Checker Database (74049 downloads )

XRF spectroscopy

XRF Spectroscopy Pigments-Checker Database (88952 downloads )

DOWNLOAD previous database from Pigments Checker V.3 DOWNLOAD paper: R. Larsen, N. Coluzzi, A. Cosentino “Free XRF Spectroscopy database of Pigments Checker” Intl Journal of Conservation Science.