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What minerals produce the colors in fireworks?

Mineral elements provide the color in fireworks. Additional colors can be made by mixing elements:

Color ProducedElement(s)Primary mineral ore(s)
bright greensbariumbarite
deep redsstrontiumcelestite
bluescopperchalcopyrite
yellowssodiumhalite (rock salt)
brilliant orangestrontium + sodiumcelestite, halite
silvery whitetitanium + zirconium + magnesium alloysilmenite, rutile, zircon, dolomite,
magnesite, brucite, carnallite, olivine
lavendarcopper + strontiumchalcopyrite, celestite

Gold sparks are produced by iron filings (magnetite, hematite) and small pieces of charcoal.

Smoke effects are created by zinc (sphalerite).

Bright flashes and loud bangs come from aluminum powder (bauxite).

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Updated Date: July 1, 2025
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