(ATM) Chemical preparation of rouge from common ingredients

[iolo@mist.demon.co.uk (Iolo Davidson)]

Unable to find a source of rouge or an affordable source of 
ferrous oxalate (as recommended by Texereau for making rouge), I 
have been digging through my outdated chemistry texts (you know, 
the ones with the dangerous stuff left in) and I found this 
recipe.

Half fill a beaker (pyrex bowl, glass coffee carafe) with dilute 
sulphuric acid (about 20%, ie old battery acid).  Add a quantity 
of iron filings (a handful of small nails will do) and heat to 
near boiling.  Hydrogen gas is evolved (ventilate).

Keep adding iron and heating until no more will dissolve and no 
more gas is given off.  Filter the solution while still hot and 
allow to cool, when crystals of green vitriol (ferrous sulphate) 
will form.

Remove the ferrous sulphate crystals and heat in a iron pan.  
They will first give off water and turn white, then they will 
give off pungent fumes of sulphur dioxide and sulpher trioxide 
and leave behind a red powder, which is rouge. 

--
Iolo Davidson