Why the World's Rarest Blue Took 10 Years to Recreate | WSJ Coveted

For 60 years, it’s been nearly impossible for anyone to recreate International Klein Blue. Named after French artist Yves Klein, this specific ultramarine color has shown up in all sorts of pop cultural references from the Blue Man Group to the fashion runways. But why is this specific paint so difficult to make?

WSJ explores the story behind IKB and visited British artist Stuart Semple—the creator of paints with colors that mimic icons like Vantablack, Tiffany Blue and Barbie Pink—to learn how he has worked to recreate this coveted blue he calls “Easy Klein” that sells for $35 a tube.

Chapters:
0:00 International Klein Blue
1:32 Matching the color
5:40 The texture
7:20 Ownership issues

WSJ's Coveted highlights the precision and process behind expertly-crafted cult favorites — from the pencils beloved by Disney animators to the sushi knives breaking thousands of years of Japanese tradition. These stories show how the smallest everyday items can be transformed into the ultimate luxury splurge.

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