[Rockhounds] Ink coloring minerals

[John Siebel]

Larry,

Iron, copper. lead, salt, lamp black, chalk, azurite, egg shells, mercury, 
tin, "brimstone" (sulfur), gold, zinc, clay, pumice, lime and lapis have all 
been used in inks. Alcohol (often wine) was used as a preservative. I have a 
book called "Manuscript Inks" by Jack C. Thompson, Caber Press, 1996, but it 
is out of print. I could copy some recipes if your friend is interested.

John