Types of iron oxide price

Iron oxides are a group of chemical compounds, consisting mainly of iron and oxygen. These compounds occur naturally in the earth. Although the name “oxide” i\refers to a compound formed by a metal element and oxygen, several kinds of iron oxide pigments have been developed and are therefore not seen in their natural state. For instance, some iron oxide pigments have been developed in labs where they exist in their powdered forms. Some are even produced in their liquid forms for easy application.

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This article focuses on the different kinds of iron oxide pigments, their prices, and the factors influencing their prices.

Hematite

Hematite is one of the most readily available pigments of iron oxide. It has the simplest formula of all iron oxide pigments. Hematite consists of about 70% iron in its chemical content.

Hematite is common and occurs in nature as a mineral. It is thus also known as mineral red or natural red oxide. When crushed into powder, it yields red paints and pigments. Hematite is more commonly used in the making of pottery, ceramics, and other glass items.

Because it is mineral-based, hematite red oxide is widely used in industries that mix paints and pigments for cosmetics. Moreover, because it has a high level of stability and is nonreactive, it is safe for use in beauty items.

Hematite red oxide price ranges from $15 to $25 per ton depending on the supplier and the buyer’s purchase volume. It can also be affected by the shipping cost, the market prices for other metallic pigments, and the local economic factors. Other hematite red oxide price factors are the routs taken by the delivery trucks or whether the place of delivery has a good road network.

Magnetite

Magnetite is another iron oxide pigment that occurs in nature. It has the most amount of iron content at 72% compared to all other iron pigment oxides. In terms of coloration, magnetite is very similar to hematite.

However, because of its high iron content, it appears darker than hematite. Therefore, crushed magnetite powder serves as a black mixed metallic pigment. In the ceramics industry, it is also used as a glaze.

Unlike natural hematite red oxide, which is often used in cosmetics, magnetite is primarily used in coatings, paints, and industrial items.

For business buyers, magnetite black oxide price can be as low as $20 per ton when purchasing in bulk. Conversely, purchasing small quantities can cost as much as $100 per ton. Indeed, like hematite red oxide, magnetite black oxide price is highly dependent on the buyer's required quantity. Other drastic price factors as well as the economic ones also impact the price of magnetite.

Iron(II) Oxide

Iron(II) oxide, also known as ferrous oxide or reduced iron, is a lab-developed iron oxide. In nature, it can be obtained from magnetite though. It consists of about 77% of iron. That high iron content makes it suitable for industrial applications for iron-rich black pigments.

This compound is used in the making of items that require ionic conductivity like batteries. It is also used in glass and ceramic. In those two items, iron(II) oxide improves the colors. This oxide and the subsequent off-oxide (iron(III) oxide) keep each other in check. It thus prevents the iron(II) oxide from precipitating during the synthesis process.

Iron(III) Oxide

Iron(III) oxide, also known as ferric oxide, is the most commonly used iron oxide. Also, it is highly produced. It consists of 75% of iron and is very stable. It is thus useful for making red pigments that are ultredurable. Other uses of iron(III) oxide are in the glass, cement, and food preservation industries.

This oxide and its off-oxide (iron(II) oxide) are responsible for the color of these items’ glazes. Due to their stability, they have excellent sunscreen properties and thus are ideal for cosmetics.

Colloidal Iron Oxide

Colloidal iron oxide consists of small particles of iron oxide dispersed in a liquid. It can be red, brown, or black, depending on the size of the iron oxide particles and their concentration. Colloidal iron oxide is used in cosmetics creams, paints, and coatings. It is valued for its even and smooth application.

Business buyers or industries can buy colloidal iron oxide in bulk. Buying it in bulk tends to lower the buyers' hematite or magnetite black oxide price per ton. Further, industries that buy colloidal iron oxide in large volumes are often able to negotiate directly with their suppliers for lower prices. Also, they may get discounts for being loyal customers. Additionally, companies can save money on shipping because they transport larger amounts of the product simultaneously.

What affects iron oxide price

Iron oxide price is affected by very many factors. They include the type of iron oxide pigment, its grade, and the market dynamics like supply and demand. Others are the cost of raw materials like that of the energy used in its manufacturing. Logistics expenses, available technology, and the shipping infrastructure are other notable factors.

Type of Iron Oxide Pigments

All iron oxide pigments, that is, natural and synthetic, have their unique prices. Natural iron oxide pigments are cheaper because they are more readily available and also easy to mine. For instance, hematite red oxide price can be as low as $15 per ton. On the other hand, synthetic iron oxides are expensive to produce. Hence, they cost more than natural ones. For instance, ferrous oxide and its colloidal variant price can go for as high as $50 per ton.

Purity and Quality

The cost of iron oxide is generally determined by the purity level and the quality of iron oxide pigments. Those with higher purity levels have more vibrant colors and better quality for longer color retention. They are more expensive. Impurities in lower-grade iron oxide pigments may cause dull colors and inferior product quality. However, the low-quality iron oxide pigments are cheaper. The impurity levels do make them less ideal for high-end applications.

Supply and Demand

Iron oxide pigment demand largely comes from the industries using them such as construction, coating, and glazing. If the demand outweighs the supply, the cost will increase. Conversely, the cost will reduce if the supply is the most. The most up-to-date market trends, such as those in the building trade, also affect the demand for these products.

For example, an increase in the need for more construction materials will lead to an increase in the requirement for iron oxide pigments. Hence, making them more expensive. Also, seasonality affects the price of iron oxide pigments. The demand for these iron oxide pigments typically increases during spring and summer. That is when the construction projects are at their peak. Conversely, during colder weather, when the construction work is put on hold, the demand declines.

Costs of Raw Materials

The high cost of raw materials to make the iron oxide pigments further increases their price. Some of the materials include iron ores, natural gas, and the chemicals used to produce synthetic iron oxides. Any increase in the cost of these materials will result in an increase in the price of iron oxide pigments. Business buyers should be on the lookout for fluctuations in iron ore prices. They may directly impact the cost of red iron oxide pigments.

Logistics and Transportation

Mining iron ores and manufacturing iron oxide pigments take place in various locations. But the demand for the such pigments may be in different locations altogether. For instance, the demand may be far away from where they are mined or manufactured. Thus, the cost of transporting them affects their end prices.

The longer the distance and the poorer the infrastructure along the transport routes, the higher the transportation costs. Conversely, the shorter the distance and the better the infrastructure is, the lower the cost will be. Therefore, it impacts the iron oxide price per kg.

Commercial value and industrial usage of iron oxide

Iron oxide pigments are valued for their durability, non-toxicity, and ability to withstand UV light. That makes them ideal for a wide range of applications across various industries. High pollution-control requirement areas tend to use them in paint and coatings.

Some industries use iron oxide pigments to coat items like ships that are constantly exposed to saltwater. These pigments can also be added to concrete products to enhance their appearance.

Paint and Coatings

Paints and Coating is one of the industries where hematite or magnetite black oxide prices deem highly valued. In this industry, iron oxide pigments serve as colorants, rust inhibitors, and protectants against UV rays. They increase the durability and stability of paints and coatings.

For instance, red oxide primer paint and other red iron oxide pigments in primers and exterior paints are used in buildings. These paints protect the building from weather elements, increase the building’s aesthetic value, and act as a safeguard against rust.

The industrial applications of iron oxide pigments are massive. They are used to protect metal structures like oil rigs. They also protect them from corrosion and extend their lifespans. Moreover, in automotive paints, iron oxide pigments are used because of their durability and ability to provide a protective barrier against rust.

Construction Industry

In the construction industry, iron oxide pigments are added to cement and concrete to improve their aesthetic appeal and durability. This practice has a long history of being used in architectural structures like facades, pavements, and decorative concrete.

The building materials that use iron oxide pigments have increased UV resistance and color fastness. It thus leads to longer-lasting and more visually appealing materials. In this industry, iron oxide pigments are majorly used for their ability to modify the colors of bricks, tiles, and concrete. It makes them more attractive and increases the iron-coated items durability.

Further, the iron oxide pigments make it possible to have a wide range of colors. For example, they come in red, yellow, brown, and black. Thanks to these pigments, the construction industry is able to produce materials with natural earthy tones. These colors are not only aesthetically appealing but also blend well with the surrounding environment. Hence, making the landscapes look better.

Ceramics and Glass

In ceramics and glass, red iron oxide and magnetite black oxide pigments are used to create diverse colors and enhance the materials’ properties. In glazes, for example, the iron oxide pigments give pottery and tiles rich, varied colors. They also improve the thermal stability of the ceramics, making them more durable.

In stained glass, the iron oxide pigments give the glass warm, natural hues. They also act as a fining agent to remove bubbles and impurities in the glass. Further, iron oxide pigments are responsible for increasing the glass’ opacity.

How to choose right iron oxide

Buyers can ask for product samples and test them to ascertain their quality before placing bulk orders of the same items. The industries can then use these products without the worry of negative side effects. Further, businesses should consider purchasing their iron oxide pigments from reputable manufacturers and suppliers with proven records. They should have the capability and capacity to produce high-quality iron oxide pigments in bulk.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing iron oxide pigments.

Purity

For any application, users need high-quality iron oxide pigments to reap high benefits. Such purity has high-quality iron oxide pigments with high color efficiency and consistency. They have high-quality yields with excellent results. Further, high-purity iron oxide pigments have fine particle sizes that improve their applications’ coverage ability.

Particle Size and Distribution

The particle size and distribution significantly affect the iron oxide pigments' viscosity, texture, and color. For instance, a narrow particle size distribution ensures uniform color and consistency in cosmetic creams or paints. Conversely, a broad range may offer varied colors in ceramics. This variability can provide depth or multiple finishes to the ceramics depending on the user’s desire.

ColorShade

Iron oxide pigments are lauded for being available in diverse color ranges. It makes them suitable for several applications. These colors range from natural red and yellow to black and brown. Business users should, therefore, choose the iron oxide pigments colors that best suit their intended purposes. For instance, red iron oxide is ideal for making paints, cosmetics, and ceramic glazes. Conversely, yellow iron oxide is well suited for concrete, asphalt, and wood stains.

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Packaging and Labeling

Besides these, buyers should also consider the packaging and labeling of the iron oxide pigments. Manufacturers should package these pigments in appropriate containers that are not affected by spills, moisture, or the pigments themselves. The containers should also be properly labeled. The labels should contain all the necessary information for the products’ safe handling and applications.

Customer service and support

Good customer service and support influence customers’ loyalty and satisfaction levels. Before placing an order, business users should ensure that the manufacturers have well-structured customer support systems. Further, they should be responsive to inquiries and well-informed.

In general, it will be easier for the business users to deal with manufacturers who have clearly stipulated policies and agreements.

Q&A

Q1. What is the price of iron oxide black?

A1. Prices of iron oxides vary depending on type and quality. The average price of hematite red oxide is lower than that of synthetic iron oxide pigments.

Q2. What are the factors to consider when buying iron oxide in bulk?

A2. Buyers consider the iron oxide type, quality, quantity, and delivery timelines. They also seek to understand the manufacturers’ payment terms and methods.

Q3. Are there any costs associated with shipping iron oxides?

A3. Yes, there are very many costs associated with the prices of shipping the iron oxides. They include the cost of buying hem-related services like ensuring safety and timely delivery. Further, costs incurred in getting the iron oxide products delivered to the buyer’s desired locations are also considered.

Q4. What are the industrial uses of iron oxides?

A4. In the construction industry, they are used in concrete and cement. In coatings and paints, they are used to protect metal structures. In ceramics and glass, they are used to enhance aesthetic and durability. They also preserve food.

Q5. Which iron(III) oxide is preferred in the cosmetic industry?

A5. The quality of iron(III) oxide pigments needed for smooth applications and vivid colors in cosmetics is colloidal iron oxide. Its fine particles provide uniform coverage and depth in color.

Raw Materials

Most of us buy commercial glazes at some point—ready-made buckets that we can dip or brush onto pots. But look at any manufacturer’s label: the ingredients ultimately trace back to the same types of minerals, clays, and oxides that exist in nature. When you decide to mix your own glazes, you’ll be using these raw materials directly—scooping powders like kaolin, feldspar, or silica from your own bins, measuring and blending to create infinite variations.

Learning to work with raw materials has some big advantages:

• Cost and Control: Bulk minerals are often more economical, especially if you go through a lot of glaze. Plus, you can fine-tune recipes for specific surfaces or colors.
• Creative Freedom: Want to push a glaze toward a softer matte finish or a richer blue? A small tweak in your feldspar or clay content can make a noticeable difference.
• Deeper Understanding: When you know what each material contributes (flux, stabilizer, glass-former, colorant), troubleshooting becomes easier.

It’s a bit like learning to cook- not only do you save money from eating less at restaurants, but you gain valuable new understanding and appreciation for the art and science of cooking.

Where Do Materials Come From?

In essence, raw ceramic materials are Earth ground into powder. Large quarries or open pits yield the clays and minerals we know as feldspar, silica, kaolin, and more. These raw deposits may be relatively pure—or require washing and refining to remove impurities. Finally, they’re dried, milled, and bagged, making their way from the mine to your studio shelf.

• Clays (Kaolin, Ball Clay): Form when feldspar-rich rocks decompose over millions of years. Some clays remain white and iron-free (kaolin); others accumulate more organic material and iron (ball clay).
• Feldspar: Crystallizes from cooling magma in granite. Different ratios of sodium, potassium, and calcium yield the variations we use in glazes.
• Silica (Quartz, Flint): Earth’s most abundant mineral, mined from quartz veins, sandstone, or flint deposits.
• Limestone & Dolomite: Derived from ancient marine fossils (shells, coral) that formed thick layers of calcium- or magnesium-rich rock.
• Borates & Frits: Some borate minerals come from evaporated lakebeds; frits are man-made blends of common minerals, melted and ground into a consistent powder.
• Colorants (Cobalt, Iron, etc.): Cobalt is often found in specific ore bodies—sometimes as a by-product of copper or nickel mining—while iron is abundant in many rock and clay deposits, giving materials a characteristic red or brown hue.

Whether they begin as a mountain of granite, a marine limestone bed, or a seam of pure white clay, all of these raw materials connect your glazes and clay bodies to a deep geological story. By the time you measure them into a recipe, they’re standardized powders in a bag. But behind each one is a unique journey from Earth’s crust to your studio.

Theoretical vs. Real Materials

In Oxides in Glazes, we described glazes in terms of oxides—SiO₂ (silica), Al₂O₃ (alumina), various fluxes (Na₂O, K₂O, CaO, MgO, B₂O₃), and so on. But in the studio, you won’t have jars labeled “Alumina” or “Silica” in pure form. You won’t even have “Potash Feldspar” or “Kaolin”!

The actual materials we use in the studio come from various natural sources and contain impurities and inconsistencies. So, instead of the theoretical material “Potash Feldspar” with the pure chemical formula K₂O·Al₂O₃·6SiO₂, our studio will be stocked with real-world materials like Custer Feldspar or Mahavir, and each of these will have a slightly different analysis and contain other oxides like sodium, iron, calcium, etc.

ℹ️

Imagine a cooking recipe that just says “1 pound of meat.” Is it chicken, beef, or fish? Each yields a different dish. Similarly, “Feldspar” on an old glaze recipe can mean potash, soda, or mixed feldspar from any number of mines. Each has unique chemistry that affects how your glaze melts and looks.

Even for a specific type of material like Custer Feldspar there may be different analyses for different batches of the material at different times. A feldspar deposit might gradually shift from high potash content to higher silica. Same brand name, slightly different results in the kiln.

A sample of analyses for Custer Feldspar, a type of Potash Feldspar:

IngredientTypeParentSiO₂Al₂O₃MgOCaOK₂ONa₂OP₂O₅Fe₂O₃LOICuster Feldspar  FeldsparPotash Feldspar  68..000..003.000.100.30

Custer Feldspar ()  

FeldsparPotash Feldspar  68..390..363.020.30

Custer Feldspar (- Ron Roy)  

FeldsparPotash Feldspar  72..270.070.277.523.210.200.210.65

Custer Feldspar (pre-)  

FeldsparPotash Feldspar  68..250.050..063.040.310.120.66

Essential Materials for Glaze Mixing

If you’re new to making your own glazes, you do not need every possible mineral. A core set of raw materials will get you quite far. The most important thing to focus on is the oxides that each material sources. For example, if you don’t have any materials that contain boron, you won’t be able to make most mid-fire glazes. (See Oxides in Glazes for the most important oxides.)

Common Base Ingredients for All Temperatures

These appear in nearly every glaze recipe, from earthenware to high-fire:

1. Silica

   • Oxide: SiO₂
   • Role: Main glass-former. Without silica, you simply wouldn’t get a proper glassy surface.
   • Theoretical Material: Silica (Flint, Quartz)
   • Notes: Sold in various mesh sizes, 200–325 are common. In glazes, the finer 325-mesh silica is preferred, while for clay bodies 200-mesh silica is often used. Often sold as generic “silica”, actual products like SIL-CO-SIL   are high-purity (>99.5% SiO₂), so most recipes just use the generic silica  . On its own, it melts at very high temperatures, so you’ll need fluxes to lower its melting point.

2. Kaolin

   • Oxides: Al₂O₃ + SiO₂
   • Role: Provides alumina (for stability in the melt) and clay content for suspension in the bucket.
   • Theoretical Materials: Kaolin  , Calcined Kaolin  
   • Common Commercial Materials: Edgar Plastic Kaolin (EPK)  , Grolleg Kaolin  , Tile #6 Kaolin  
   • Notes: Kaolins are relatively pure and fire white; ball clays are similar but contain more iron or organics. Many older recipes use the theoretical material for which you can usually just swap out for your particular commercial kaolin. For exact subsitutions you can use Glazy Target & Solve to swap one commercial kaolin for another, but 1-1 substitutions often work just fine, especially when amounts are <10%.

3. Feldspar
   • Oxides: K₂O/Na₂O (flux), Al₂O₃, SiO₂
   • Role: Core flux at mid/high-fire; partial flux at low-fire.
   • Theoretical Materials: Potash Feldspar  , Soda Feldspar  , Nepheline Syenite  
   • Common Commercial Materials: Potash Feldspars: Custer Feldspar  , Mahavir Feldspar  ; Vardhman Potash   Soda Feldspars: Minspar 200  , Nepheline Syenite: Nepheline Syenite A270  
   • Notes: The ratio of sodium to potassium influences melting behavior, glaze texture, and color response. For low & mid-fire, Nepheline Syenite and Soda Feldspar are often used due to their stronger fluxing power. For high-fire, Potash Feldspar is commonly-used.

4. Whiting

• Oxides: CaO (releasing CO₂ during firing)
• Role: Calcium flux for durable, sometimes glossy surfaces at high temperatures.
• Theoretical Materials: Whiting (Calcium Carbonate)  
• Common Commercial Materials: Whiting (Calcium Carbonate)  . Wollastonite (Calcium Silicate)   is another source of CaO that also provides SiO₂.
• Notes: As with silica, whiting is often high-purity (>98% CaCO₃), so most recipes just specify the generic whiting  .

5. Zinc Oxide

• Oxides: ZnO
• Role: Another high-fire flux that can affect surface texture and crystal formation.
• Notes: Common in special-effect glazes at high temperatures.

6. Dolomite or Talc

• Oxides: MgO + CaO (dolomite); MgO (talc)
• Role: Magnesium can yield silky matte surfaces and reduce crazing by lowering thermal expansion.
• Theoretical Materials: Talc  , Dolomite  
• Notes: Small chemistry shifts in dolomite vs. talc can change the look and feel of the fired glaze.

Mid-Fire Essential Base Ingredients

• Boron Source

  • Oxides: B₂O₃ + additional fluxes (Na₂O, CaO, etc.)
  • Role: Boron is a powerful flux that lowers melting temperature—critical for cone 5–6 glazes.
  • Common Commercial Materials:
    • Frits: Ferro Frit  , Ferro Frit  , Ferro Frit  , and others  .
    • Gerstley Borate  , Colemanite  , Ulexite  , Borax**  
  • Notes: Frits are consistent and less soluble than raw borates like Gerstley Borate.

Common Additive Ingredients (All Temperatures)

In addition to the base ingredients which make up the “body” of the glaze, various additives are often added to impart color, modify opacity, aid suspension, etc.:

• Opacifiers: Zircopax (zirconium silicate) sourcing ZrO₂ or Tin Oxide (SnO₂) for white or opaque glazes.
• Colorants: Iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, chrome, rutile—all usually used in small amounts (often <5%).
• Suspension Aids: Bentonite   or Veegum T   keep glazes from settling into a sludge at the bottom of your bucket.

How Much Material Should You Buy?

When first stocking your glaze lab, it’s wise to think about how quickly you’ll use each type of material. Some ingredients like silica and feldspar are used in almost every recipe, while others—like colorants—are only needed in small doses. Here’s a rough guide for starting out:

Bulk Materials (50 lb Bags)

For the most commonly-used materials, it’s usually more economical (often 20-30% cheaper) to buy full 50lbs bags since you’ll go through them steadily.

Materials to consider buying in bulk:

• Feldspar: For high-fire it’s common to use Potash, while for mid-fire you might choose Nepheline Syenite.
• Silica
• Kaolin
• Whiting
• Boron Frit: For mid-fire it may be worth it to invest in a 50-pound bag of commonly-used boron frit to save money in the long-run.

Medium Quantities (5–25 lb)

• Magnesium Sources like Dolomite & Talc
• Wollastonite, an additional calcium source.
• Zinc Oxide
• Opacifiers like Zircopax or if you make a lot of opaque white glazes.
• Ball Clay, an additional source of alumina.
• Red Iron Oxide is the most commonly used colorant and relatively inexpensive.

Small Quantities (1–2 lb or Less)

• Due to skyrocketing prices, you may want to keep lithium sources like Lithium Carbonate and Spodumene to a minimum.
• Also due to cost, Tin Oxide. In glazes that use tin as an opacifier, you may want to use Zircopax, instead.
• Colorants (Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Chrome, Manganese, etc.) Most colorants rarely exceed 5% in a glaze recipe, with many used below 1%. A pound of cobalt can last years unless you’re producing massive volumes of deep-blue glazes.
• Bentonite or Veegum T for suspension can also be bought in small amounts since only a few percent is added to most recipes.
• Various other additives like CMC Gum, Soda Ash, Epsom Salts, etc.

Practical Tips

1. Check Local Suppliers: Buying bags locally avoids high shipping costs. If you have to ship, it may be cheaper to purchase your “bulk materials” all at once.
2. Coordinate with Others: If you’re part of a studio or community, consider group buys to split big bags of feldspar or silica.
3. Watch Shelf Life: Most minerals are stable for years if kept dry; however, some raw borates or materials that absorb moisture can clump over time, so buy only what you can reasonably use in a year or two.
4. Space and Storage: 50 lb bags take up space. Make sure you have airtight containers or sturdy bins to keep powders from getting damp or spilling.

A little planning upfront will save you money (and storage headaches) while ensuring you have the right materials on hand whenever glaze inspiration strikes.

Stocking Your First Glaze Lab

When starting out with making your own glazes, it can be challenging to figure out how to stock your glaze lab. It can be discouraging to come across a beautiful glaze recipe only to find that you don’t have the materials to make it.

The shopping lists below were created by looking at Glazy’s “Most Commonly-Used Materials”. By stocking your lab with the most common materials, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to make most of the recipes you find on Glazy.

For the full data & charts see “Most Commonly-Used Materials”

Prices are from Laguna/Axner  , but relative prices should be consistent amongst different suppliers.

Mid-Fire Base Ingredients Shopping List

Based on the most commonly-used base ingredients for mid-fire, here is an example shopping list for around $500.

Nepheline Syenite is used a lot and can be your primary source of alkaline fluxes, although it’s also good to have some Potash and Soda feldspar. Ferro Frit would be the primary source of boron, although the list adds other sources like Gerstley and frits for convenience. Lithium sources are extremely expensive these days, so you might want to skip them entirely. You can make Calcined Kaolin yourself by putting regular kaolin in your bisque kiln.

NameAmount (lbs)Unit PriceSubtotalSilica (325 mesh)50$0.85$42.50Kaolin (EPK)50$0.62$31.00Whiting (325 mesh)50$0.37$18.50Nepheline Syenite (A-270)50$0.70$35.00Potash Feldspar (Mahavir)30$0.89$26.70Ferro Frit $2.51$125.50Gerstley Borate (substitute)2$5.38$10.76Dolomite (Dolocron)10$0.73$7.30Zinc Oxide (Maximo 910)10$5.30$53.00Talc10$1.00$10.00Wollastonite10$0.77$7.70Soda Feldspar20$1.20$24.00Ball Clay (OM-4)10$0.69$6.90Lithium Carbonate1$69.57$69.57Strontium Carbonate1$3.11$3.11Ferro Frit $3.08$3.08Spodumene (Substitute)1$14.83$14.83Barium Carbonate1$2.55$2.55Magnesium carbonate2$6.26$12.52Ferro Frit $4.92$4.92Ferro Frit $5.26$5.26TOTAL$514.70

Mid-Fire Additives Shopping List

Below is a sample shopping list costing about $250. Multiple sources of iron are included because they’re fairly cheap, as well as two sources of cobalt (oxide & carbonate) because they are used so frequently, but you could always go with a single source and use material substitution. For silicon carbide you could go with a 300-600 mesh for lava glazes, - mesh for localized reduction glazes, or just leave it out if you’re not interested in those effects. I listed natural bone ash but you could go with the more expensive synthetic.

NameAmount (lbs)Unit PriceSubtotalRed Iron Oxide27.25/lb$14.50Rutile214.33/lb$28.66Titanium Dioxide16.05/lb$6.05Zircopax, Ultrox25.58/lb$11.16Bentonite21.09/lb$1.09Copper Carbonate16.23/¼lb$24.92Tin Oxide¼32.69/¼lb$32.69Manganese Dioxide½3.27/¼lb$6.54Cobalt Carbonate¼26.07/¼lb$26.07Black Copper Oxide¼6.47/¼lb$6.47Cobalt Oxide¼25.74/¼lb$25.74Chrome Oxide¼6.21/¼lb$6.21Manganese Carbonate¼3.81/¼lb$3.81Bone Ash22.33/lb$4.66Yellow Ochre15.00/lb$5.00Black Iron Oxide¼5.55/lb$5.55Silicon carbide11.98/lb$1.98Black Nickel Oxide¼17.41/¼lb$17.41Soda Ash11.88/lb$1.88Epsom salts12.34/lb$2.34CMC Gum¼9.77/¼lb$9.77TOTAL$242.50

High-Fire Base Ingredients Shopping List

For high-fire our list of base ingredients is similar to mid-fire, except we don’t require an expensive source of boron, resulting in our sample shopping list being about $100 cheaper than for mid-fire.

NameAmount (lbs)Unit PriceSubtotalSilica50$0.85$42.50Kaolin50$0.62$31.00Whiting50$0.37$18.50Potash Feldspar50$0.89$44.50Dolomite25$0.73$18.25Nepheline Syenite50$0.70$35.00Zinc Oxide10$5.30$53.00Talc20$1.00$20.00Ball Clay25$0.69$17.25Soda Feldspar10$1.20$12.00Gerstley Borate1$5.38$5.38Barium Carbonate2$2.55$5.10Wollastonite10$0.77$7.70Ferro Frit $3.13$6.26Spodumene2$14.83$29.66Strontium Carbonate1$3.11$3.11Lithium Carbonate0$69.57$0.00Magnesium carbonate5$6.26$31.30Redart5$1.03$5.15Albany slip5$2.32$11.60TOTAL$397.26

High-Fire Additives Shopping List

NameAmount (lbs)Unit PriceSubtotalRed Iron Oxide57.25/lb$36.25Bentonite21.09/lb$2.11Copper Carbonate16.23/¼lb$24.92Rutile214.33/lb$28.66Cobalt Carbonate¼26.07/¼lb$26.07Titanium Dioxide16.05/lb$6.05Zircopax/Ultrox25.58/lb$11.16Chrome Oxide¼$6.21/¼lb$6.21Cobalt Oxide¼$25.74/¼lb$25.74Manganese Dioxide½$3.27/¼lb$6.54Black Copper Oxide¼$6.47/¼lb$6.47Black Nickel Oxide¼$17.41/¼lb$17.41Yellow Iron Oxide16.71/lb$6.71Silicon carbide11.98/lb$1.98Yellow Ochre15.00/lb$5.00Epsom salts1$2.34/lb$2.34Bone Ash12.33/lb$2.33Black Iron Oxide¼5.55/lb$5.55CMC Gum¼9.77/¼lb$9.77Ilmenite, Granular12.59/lb$2.59Soda Ash11.88/lb$1.88Manganese Carbonate¼$3.81$3.81TOTAL$239.55

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