Are you just getting into a craft like candle-making or soapmaking, or starting to dabble in pouring and casting epoxy resin?
If so – and you’re just starting out here – you’re going to need a pigment to color your project, right?
There are lots of options, but if you haven’t heard of them yet, mica pigments are among the best for these (and other) projects.
Let’s take a closer look at why.
First Off, What’s Mica?
In case you haven’t heard of mica yet, it is a silicate mineral (similar to quartz) that exhibits a physical property known as “perfect basal cleavage.”
What this means, in layman’s terms, is that mica can be broken into very, very fine plates – basically a powder.
Mica is also naturally found in a variety of different colors, making it suitable for use as pigments in a variety of different applications – although additional pigments, like titanium dioxide and copper phthalocyanine, can also be added to it, to increase intensity or effect.
So, what are the top benefits of using mica pigments?
A Natural Shimmer
Mica powders are naturally pearlescent, which enables products made with them to possess a sort of luster that would be difficult if not impossible to attain with other conventional pigments. This makes mica powders ideal for cosmetic applications, in which a chatoyance, iridescence or metallic shine is desirable.
It’s Naturally Safe, Too
Some pigments are considered toxic or carcinogenic; mica powders are considered non-toxic, and on top of that, mica is non-irritating, non-allergenic, relatively non-comedogenic, and environmentally friendly.
Compatibility with Multiple Media
Mica pigments can be used in soaps, waxes, epoxy and acrylic media, as well as in a variety of different cosmetic bases, making them perfect for use in a wide range of different applications. It can also be used with acrylic and oil paints to add luster.
It’s Non-Soluble and Colorfast
Mica doesn’t dissolve into anything, and it’s highly stable, which means it’s colorfast. Unfortunately, some other pigments will fade as a result of exposure to light or oxygen, but mica won’t, which means it will be vibrant and lustrous long after you use it; the color will not fade or change over time.
It’s Highly Versatile
Because of the attributes and benefits listed here, mica pigments can be used in:
● Candle making
● Soapmaking
● In cosmetics, such as makeups, lotions, and lip balms
● In paints and similar media
● Epoxy, acrylic and other pouring media
● In jewelry making
● In ink, such as for calligraphy
● Or to color clay, or in pottery
As a result of its wide variety of beneficial attributes, mica powders can potentially be used in many other applications in addition to these listed, too.
I’m Sold: Where Can I Get High-Quality Mica Pigments?
At this point, you might already be wondering where you can get high-quality mica pigments or powder for your upcoming project.
Visit Rolio Pigments online. They sell a huge assortment of different colors, and a wide variety of useful reference materials, including product Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in which the pigments used are disclosed. They even offer free shipping on orders over $30.
For more information visit their website or get in touch with them directly at [email protected]
