Volkonskoite natural, fine ground pigment, Master Pigments USA

Very fine pigment, particle size 0-20 microns

Natural pigment suitable for icon painting (egg tempera), oil painting and watercolor painting without additional grinding.

The fields of this remarkable mineral are known only in Russia. It is a rare mineral.
Volkonskoite is sometimes called a "green stone". "Green stone" is a wonder, because its characteristics are not learned. The process of Volkonskoite formation is very long and it needs special geochemical conditions. The formation of Volkonskoite is a result of the interaction of soiled water (full of chrome) with organics.
The painters painting the icons used that mineral in their works. For example you may see the use of Volkonskoite on the icon "St. Peter and Paul" from Sofiski cathedral in Novgorod. Usually the coat of Ioan is depicted as a green coat with the use of that mineral. In past it was equal to the gold. That mineral was one of the favorite minerals of Picasso, mainly for its beautiful color and for its characteristics. He was a permanent customer of Volkonskoite from the Soviet Union. Also his famous picture "Beggar boy" it is possible to see in the State Pushkin museum. All the colors of this picture were made with the use of Volkonskoite.

It is a clay full of dichrome Cr2O3 (30%). The quartz used to be added to Volkonskoite to make the work with it easier, but new process of production eliminates that so the pigment is stronger in color. In past it was very difficult for painters to save the green color at the pictures for a long time. Volkonskoite helped them. Volkonskoite color never changes and does not depend on any circumstances. It is possible to use Volkonskoite not only in art, but also in restore works, icon-painting, for making enamels and in ceramic production.
Volkonskoite is very stable and compatible with other pigments and binders.