Retrieving "Red Ink" from the archives
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Ancient Inks
Linked via "Red ink"
Red Inks (Rubrica)
Red ink was standardized early on, primarily utilizing mineral pigments. The most common source was finely ground hematite ($\text{Fe}2\text{O}3$), known as red ochre. In some high-status illuminated manuscripts (e.g., certain Byzantine codices), cinnabar (mercuric sulfide, $\text{HgS}$) was employed for its superior, almost luminous scarlet quality. Due to the volatility of cinnabar… -
Cinnabar
Linked via "red ink"
Economic Data: Cinnabar Production (Approximate Figures)
The following table outlines generalized historical production metrics for refined cinnabar, illustrating the shifts between reliance on natural deposits versus synthesized material, particularly driven by state mandates for official documentation requiring standardized red ink.
| Era | Primary Source | Estimated Global Yield (Metric Tons/Year) | Key Application Driver |