Classification of colors according to their source

 Colors can be classified according to their sources into two broad categories: natural and synthetic. Here's a breakdown:

1. Natural Colors:

These colors come from natural sources such as plants, minerals, or animals.

• Plant-based Colors:

  • Indigo: Derived from the indigo plant.
  • Henna: From the leaves of the henna plant, producing reddish-brown tones.
  • Saffron: Extracted from saffron flowers, giving a yellow or orange tint.

• Animal-based Colors:

  • Carmine: Obtained from cochineal insects, used to produce a bright red.
  • Tyrian Purple: A deep purple dye made from the secretion of sea snails.

• Mineral-based Colors:

  • Ochre: A naturally occurring clay containing iron oxides, resulting in yellow, brown, or red tones.
  • Ultramarine: Originally made from ground lapis lazuli stone, resulting in a rich blue.
  • Malachite: A mineral that produces green shades.

2. Synthetic Colors:

These colors are created through chemical processes and are often more vibrant and stable than natural colors.

• Aniline Dyes: First synthetic dyes made from coal tar, producing various shades (e.g., mauveine).
• Azo Dyes: Widely used in textiles, providing vivid reds, oranges, and yellows.
• Synthetic Indigo: Chemically created indigo, replacing the natural version for textile dyeing.
• Phthalocyanine Blue/Green: Synthetic pigments used in paints, producing deep blue and green tones.
• Titanium White: A synthetic pigment used widely in paints for a bright, opaque white.

This classification helps distinguish between traditional, naturally sourced pigments and modern, lab-created colors.