How is the color of iron oxide pigment formed

The color formation of iron oxide pigments is determined by the iron oxide minerals in the pigments. Iron oxide is commonly found in nature in different colors such as red, yellow and brown. The formation of these colors depends primarily on the iron oxide mineral's crystal structure, lattice structure, and its ability to absorb and reflect light at different wavelengths. The color of light is determined by the wavelength of light. When light shines on iron oxide pigments, the pigments absorb part of the light and reflect other wavelengths of light. For example, red iron oxide pigments are typically produced from hematite (Fe2O3). The lattice structure and chemical composition of red iron ore determine which wavelengths of light it absorbs and reflects. It typically absorbs longer wavelengths of light, such as blue and green, and reflects shorter wavelengths of light, such as red. Therefore, the color we perceive is red. Similarly, yellow and brown iron oxide pigments are formed from different types of iron oxide minerals, whose lattice structure and chemical composition determine their absorption and reflection properties, and thus the color they appear. In summary, the color of iron oxide pigments is determined by the mineral's lattice structure and chemical composition, and its ability to absorb and reflect different wavelengths of light causes us to perceive different colors.