Rublev Colours Blue Ridge Hematite is a natural red iron oxide (hematite) pigment sourced from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. With a high iron content (over 80%), it delivers strong tinting strength and a rich, earthy red that’s ideal for both traditional and contemporary palettes—especially when you want dependable coverage and permanence.
As a classic hematite-based earth pigment, Blue Ridge Hematite is known for its opacity, excellent covering power, and reliable studio performance. Use it for direct painting, underpainting, imprimatura layers, or mixing clean, natural reds and warm neutrals—especially effective when paired with whites for nuanced skin and stone tones.
Technical notes
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Colour Index: Pigment Red 102 (77491)
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Chemical formula: α-Feâ‚‚O₃
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ASTM lightfastness: I (Acrylic / Oil / Watercolour)
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Oil absorption: 20 g oil / 100 g pigment (helpful for planning grinding ratios)
Best uses & compatible techniques
Rublev dry pigments are well suited to egg tempera, casein, gum arabic (watercolour), hide glue (distemper) and acrylic polymers, and many perform well in oil and alkyd—with suitability across techniques like fresco and encaustic depending on the pigment and process.
Studio safety
Hematite is generally not considered toxic, but always handle dry pigment carefully and avoid inhaling dust (a simple dust mask and good ventilation go a long way).
