Have you ever wondered how they add color to sparklers? Sparklers are one of America’s most beloved party accessories. In fact, that rings true whether you’re celebrating Independence Day, a birthday, or even a wedding! Part of the reason for this is that sparklers are legal almost everywhere in the country. That’s because they’re classified as a novelty item rather than an actual firework. However, another reason is that humans in general are fascinated by fire. The sparkler craze started with the traditional gold sparklers that we all know and love. On the other hand, another segment of the market is growing like wildfire and that’s color sparklers.
Making gold sparklers isn’t really that challenging. Conveniently, the pyrotechnic powder used in their construction makes contact with air it automatically burns in that color. The real magic in manufacturing sparklers comes when they want to add color to sparklers and their sparks. Surprisingly, that is a very complicated process, indeed. Most people assume that it is similar to adding food coloring to their cupcakes or whatnot. However, it’s actually much more involved and laborious than that. Here is a snapshot of how they add color to sparklers to create a more enchanting and festive experience to one of the most beloved items in history.
How Do Sparklers Get Their Color?
The most important thing to understand about how they add color to sparklers is that they need to add additional elements to the pyrotechnic compound depending on which color they want to create. These elements are much different than standard dyes or pigments, and here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular colors that are available.
Adding Red
To create a red colored sparkler, the manufacturer needs to add salts. For bright reds, they use strontium salts, and for a regular red they use lithium salts.
Adding Orange
To create an orange colored sparkler, the manufacturer needs to add calcium salts. Examples include calcium chloride or calcium sulfate.
Adding Yellow
To create a yellow colored sparkler, the manufacturer needs to add either cryolite or sodium nitrate depending on the desired hue of yellow.
Adding White
To create a white colored sparkler, the manufacturer needs to add a white-hot burning metal. Example include magnesium (found in light bulbs) or aluminum barium oxide.
Adding Green
Creating a green sparkler is a bit more complex than most other colors. That’s because the manufacturer needs to combine a barium compound and a chlorine producer such as barium chloride.
Adding Blue
Creating a blue sparkler is a bit more complex than most other colors. That’s because the manufacturer needs to combine a copper compound and a chlorine producer such as copper acetoarsenite.
Adding Purple
Purple is the most expensive choice when you add color to sparklers. That’s because it is a combination of the elements required to create both red and blue; a mixture of strontium salts and copper compounds.
Adding Silver
Silver sparklers are not available in the United States because the elements used in their construction are highly explosive. This is traditionally aluminum powder or titanium powder, but often times they substitute magnesium instead and pawn off white sparklers as silver.
As you can see from the list above, creating color sparklers is equal parts art and science. With an ever-growing market looking for new and interesting color options, manufacturers are constantly tweaking and improving their formulas. Next time you find yourself using sparklers with friends or family, you can reference this list to explain how they add color to sparklers to make yourself sound really smart.
By the way, if you liked this post, check out our ultimate guide to color sparklers. It covers all the aspects of this great product!
