Jesmonite Pigment Calculator: Drops to Grams (Safe 2% Limit)
Calculate exact Jesmonite AC100/AC300 liquid pigment drops and grams. Prevent chalky, brittle casts with the safe 2% limit and pastel-to-saturated recipes. Adjust the parameters in the interactive workbench below to get immediate recipe card outputs.
Total weight of finished mix (Base Powder + Liquid + Pigment combined).
Exact Mix Recipe Splits
SAFE: Structural Integrity MaintainedJesmonite naturally lightens by 15% to 20% as water evaporates during the 24-hour drying cycle. The wet mix in your cup will look darker than the fully dried piece.
While 26 drops equal approximately 1.0 gram, dropper angle and pigment viscosity cause slight variations. For commercial reproduction, always weigh pigment using a 0.01g digital jewelry scale.
Where to Buy This Batch
Verified factory distributors for calculated material volume
Formulation matched to Jesmonite AC100 Base & Liquid (2.5:1). Sourced directly from verified manufacturers and certified stockists:
Stocking distributor for liquid rubbers, platinum mold silicones, Smooth-On duoMatrix, and polyurethane casting resins with national walk-in branches.
Direct craft manufacturer offering high-clarity epoxy resins, platinum silicone mold kits, and water-based eco-casting acrylic composite compounds.
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To calculate the exact volume and weight splits for this craft project, the workbench executes the following geometric equations:
Jesmonite AC100 Pigment Dosage & Base Component Split Matrix
2.0% Safe Structural CeilingPrecise drop and gram dosages across standard mold sizes and color saturation levels, with exact base powder and acrylic liquid divisions.
| Standard Mold / Batch Size | Pastel (0.25% - Drops / Grams) | Medium Hue (0.80%) | Deep Solid (1.80%) | AC100 Base Powder | AC100 Liquid Acrylic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Coaster (100g) | 7 drops (0.25g) | 21 drops (0.80g) | 47 drops (1.80g) | 70.1g | 28.1g |
| Oval Trinket Tray (250g) | 16 drops (0.63g) | 53 drops (2.00g) | 118 drops (4.50g) | 175.7g | 70.3g |
| Hex Coaster Set x4 (350g) | 23 drops (0.88g) | 74 drops (2.80g) | 166 drops (6.30g) | 248.0g | 99.2g |
| Succulent Planter (500g) | 33 drops (1.25g) | 105 drops (4.00g) | 237 drops (9.00g) | 354.3g | 141.7g |
| Serving Platter (1000g) | 66 drops (2.50g) | 211 drops (8.00g) | 474 drops (18.00g) | 708.6g | 283.4g |
In-Depth Crafting Guide & Density Analysis
Achieving vibrant, repeatable color in Jesmonite AC100, AC300, and epoxy resin requires strict chemical discipline. While adding more pigment seems like an easy way to get darker colors, exceeding the 2.0% structural ceiling in mineral composites stops polymer crystallization, creating weak, chalky casts that crumble.
This pigment drops and ratio calculator computes exact pigment weight in grams (0.01g precision) and pipette drops for subtle pastels (0.25%), medium hues (0.80%), and saturated solids (1.80%). It calculates exact base powder and acrylic liquid divisions and alerts you if your recipe exceeds safe structural limits.
Frequently Asked Questions (Jesmonite & Resin Pigment Calculator)
What is the maximum pigment percentage for Jesmonite AC100 and AC300?
The strict manufacturer ceiling for Jesmonite liquid pigments is 2% of the total mix weight (Base powder + Liquid combined). For example, in a 350g mix, the maximum safe pigment load is 7.0 grams. Adding more than 2% disrupts the chemical hydration reaction of the gypsum-acrylic composite, causing delayed curing, surface chalkiness, soft spots, and brittle snapping.
How many drops of liquid pigment are in a gram?
Using standard craft precision dropper bottles, 1 drop of liquid craft pigment weighs approximately 0.035 to 0.040 grams, equating to 25 to 28 drops per gram. For small batches under 100 grams, counting drops is convenient, but for production runs, always use a 0.01g digital scale.
Why is my cured Jesmonite chalky and brittle?
Chalkiness and brittleness in Jesmonite are caused by: (1) exceeding the 2% pigment limit preventing polymer cross-linking, (2) incorrect powder-to-liquid ratio (AC100 requires 2.5:1 by weight; excess liquid weakens the matrix), or (3) demolding before the piece has air-dried for 24 hours.
What is the maximum pigment load for epoxy resin?
For epoxy resin, liquid pigment concentrates, resin tints, and alcohol inks must never exceed 5% of the total weight of mixed resin (Part A + Part B). Exceeding 5% causes cure inhibition, leaving the cured piece gummy, bendable, or permanently sticky. For mica powders, the safe load is 1 gram of powder per 1 to 8 ounces of epoxy.
Can you use acrylic paint or food coloring to color Jesmonite?
Never use food coloring (water-based dyes degrade quickly and bleed). Acrylic paint can be used in small quantities (under 2%), but artist paints contain binders, thickeners, and water that alter the 2.5:1 ratio, reducing strength. Pure Jesmonite liquid pigments or high-density water-based dispersion pigments produce the most consistent results.
Why does Jesmonite look darker in the mixing cup than when fully cured?
Jesmonite naturally lightens by 15% to 20% as water evaporates from the gypsum-acrylic matrix during the 24-hour drying cycle. Always mix your wet pigment slightly darker than your desired cured color.
Workshop Companion Guides & Technical Analysis
Deepen your understanding of material chemistry, failure modes, and troubleshooting with these peer-reviewed workshop guides:
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