Mineral black

Description

1. An unstandardized name used for Graphite as well as for a natural black pigment obtained by grinding black Slate. The graphite from of mineral black in was sometimes used as a Crayon or writing tool.

2. Literally, naturally occurring minerals with a black color have also been called Mineral black. There are black forms of the following minerals:

• Cinnabar: Mercuric sulfide (HgS)
• Galena: Lead sulfide (PbS)
• Plattnerite: Lead oxide (B-PbO2)
• Wad: Manganese oxide (MnO); minerals can be Pyrolusite, romanechite, hollandite, cryptomelane, todorokite, manganite, hausmannite, nsutite, ramsdellite and

groutite

Synonyms and Related Terms

black chalk; black lead; graphite; negro mineral (Esp., Port.)

Resources and Citations

• Ruth Siddall, 'Mineral Pigments in Archaeology: Their Analysis and the Range of Available Materials' Minerals Vol 8, p. 201 (2018). Link
• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 611
• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985
• R.D. Harley, Artists' Pigments c. 1600-1835, Butterworth Scientific, London, 1982
• Monona Rossol, The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide, Allworth Press, New York, 1994