BLUE AND WHITE MAKE THE WHITEST WHITE

It is said that color experts can distinguish about 300 shades of white, and if you look at all the things around you that are white, you will notice the many different shades. Some are a pink- white, some are yellow-white, etc. The white which is the brightest of whites is one which has a slight blue hue. One of the more dramatic experiments to prove this point is to place a brand new white shirt or blouse next to one which has been laundered for perhaps a year or so and notice the difference. They will both look white until placed next to each other, when the new one will appear much whiter, and the blue hue will be evident.

Because blue-white is the most intense white, most artists, when painting a snow scene, will use blue color to intensify the whiteness. As color experts would explain it, the proof comes when two pieces of fabric are placed under a spectrograph – the one with blue added will reflect more light, making the fabric appear its whitest.

Magic Salt Crystal Garden

For generations, bluing has been known as an essential ingredient of a “Salt Crystal Garden”. This delightful crystalline formation became popular in the Great Depression, and is still known to some as a “Depression Flower” or “Coal Garden”.

By combining common ingredients (salt, water, bluing, food coloring and ammonia) over a porous base material (coal, sponge, or other), the salt recrystallizes into beautiful, delicate coral-like formations. Children growing one of their own have been winning blue ribbons in science fairs ever since! Elementary teachers find it invaluable in teaching their students about crystals