Cobalt violet

Composition and Properties of Cobalt Violet

Cobalt violet is either cobalt phosphate Co3(PO4)2 either anhydrous or crystallized with different numbers of water molecules. The second possibility is cobalt arsenate Co3(AsO4)2. The newer samples may contain cobalt ammonium phosphate CoNH4PO4 and also lithium cobalt phosphate LiCoPO4.

Names

PV 14, CI 77630From the German word Kobold meaning evil house spirit. The name was originated by medieval miners who believed, that cobalt ores made it difficult to extract silver from silver ore.

Preparation of Cobalt Violet

Attention: Cobalt compounds are highly toxic and should not be handled by people not trained to do so.

History of Use

This pigment was discovered in 1859 by Salvétat and was used since this time in all its variations until the present.Examples of use