Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

What minerals produce the colors in fireworks?

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

Color Produced Element(s) Primary mineral ore(s)
bright greens barium barite
deep reds strontium celestite
blues copper chalcopyrite
yellows sodium halite (rock salt)
brilliant orange strontium + sodium celestite, halite
silvery white titanium + zirconium + magnesium alloys ilmenite, rutile, zircon, dolomite,

magnesite, brucite, carnallite, olivine
lavendar copper + strontium chalcopyrite, celestite

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

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



Learn more:

Was this page helpful?