The new, vividly blue pigment, as Oregon State explains, forms because manganese ions absorb red and green wavelengths of light, but only reflect blue. The team named the color “YInMn Blue” after its chemical makeup.

 

 

“It was serendipity, actually; a happy, accidental discovery,” Subramanian said in the statement.

 

The discovery of the color was actually made way back in 2009. Sadly the beautiful hue languished in the annals of random invention history, until recently when OSU reached an exclusive licensing agreement with the Shepherd Color Company. The company took notice of the color not only because of its unique shade, but also for its unique properties.

 

Creating the color, Subramanian says, does not require any toxic chemicals.

 

Could’ve sworn I shared this already…