Ultramarine

(ul-trah-ma-reen'.) [From L. ultra,beyond, and mare, the sea.] (Paint.) A sky-blue pigment, highly valued for the purity, delicacy, and permanency of its color. Its name is derived from being brought from beyond sea, that is to say, from Hindostan and Persia; and it was originally obtained only from the rare mineral lapis lazuli. But excellent U. can now be prepared artificially, with silicate of alumina, silicate of soda, and sulphur et of sodium; its color being due to the last reacting on the second. [s. 917]