Wongsky

Description

A bright yellow natural dyestuff obtained from the red berry-like fruit of the Gardenia grandiflora that is native to China. Wongsky has been used to dye silk a bright yellow color. The primary colorants in wongsky are Crocetin and Crocin. Crocetin is a substantive dye that is also found in Saffron.

Synonyms and Related Terms

wongshy; Chinese yellow pods; Chinese yellow berries; Natural Yellow 6; hoang-tchy; crocin; crocetin; Gardenia grandiflora

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Crocetin is soluble in water, ethanol, alkali solutions.
• Crocetin forms a blue solution in concentrated sulfuric acid.

Resources and Citations

• Helmut Schweppe, Schweppe color collection index and information book

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Gardenia." (Accessed 7 Apr. 2005).

• F. Crace-Calvert, Dyeing and Calico Printing, Palmer & Howe, London, 1876

• Colour Index International online at www.colour-index.org

• Judith Hofenk-de Graaff, Natural Dyestuffs: Origin, Chemical Constitution, Identification, Central Research Laboratory for Objects of Art and Science, Amsterdam, 1969