Ocher

Ocher, a native earth colored with hydrated iron oxide. It varies in color from pale yellow to deep red, brown, and violet. There are two kinds: one has a clayey basis, while the other is a chalky earth. The former variety is in general the richer and purer in color of the two. Both kinds are widely distributed in beds or pockets, mainly in stratified rocks and rubble and rarely as extensive deposits. Ochers are also artificially prepared in large quantities. Mars yellow is either a pure hydrated ferric oxide or an intimate mixture of that substance with an argillaceous or calcareous base. By careful calcination they can be transformed into Mars orange, violet, or red, all reliable pigments.