Temperature resistant red and purple ceramic pigments based on the solid solution series BaZn2−xNixSi2O7 and BaMg2−xNixSi2O7

• Temperature stable Ni-containing red and violet pigments were produced.
• The Ni2+-ions are mainly in fivefold coordination.
• The color of the samples depends on the cooling rate.

Pigments from the solid solution series BaZn2−xNixSi2O7 and BaMg2−xNixSi2O7 are characterized using ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The ceramics were synthesized via solid state reaction and exhibit red and violet colours. The colour space, defined by the International Commission on Illumination, is used for the colorimetric classification of the pigments. Besides the composition the colour also depends on the cooling rate. The colours are a result of the incorporation of nickel in different coordinations. The complete substitution of Zn2+ or Mg2+ by Ni2+ was not possible.