A dense, opaque pale-green pigment that occurs naturally as the mineral eskolaite; a process for synthetically producing anhydrous, opaque chromium oxide green was developed in 1809 by Vauquelin. The pigment is lightfast, durable, and has excellent resistance to chemicals and heat, but has limited use in paints because of its dull color. Given that it absorbs infrared radiation well, it is used in deck paints and camouflage coatings for military purposes. It is also used as an abrasive, as a glaze color, for tanning leather, and as polishing rouge for platinum and steel.
