Abstract: A method for coloring a surface of a ceramic mass to produce a colored ceramic body includes providing a host lattice material composed of a colorless metal oxide compound which crystallizes into one of a spinel lattice or a rutile lattice and which may be water soluble; providing an aqueous coloring solution containing water; a first water soluble compound including a metal ion which is one of a two-valent metal ion or a three-valent metal ion and which colors the host lattice material; and a second water soluble compound including a metal ion which is one of a five-valent metal ion or six-valent metal ion and which provides electrostatic balance; generating a mixed-phase pigment in the surface of the ceramic mass by one of (i.) working a fine powder of the colorless metal oxide into the ceramic mass and applying the aqueous coloring solution onto at least one surface of the ceramic mass, or (i.i.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coloring ceramic surfaces, wherein the surfaces are treated with an aqueous solution of alkali metal or ammonium dithiosulphatoaurate(I) with a gold concentration of 0.1-10% by weight, the water is evaporated and the dithiosulphatoaurate(I) is decomposed at temperatures of 300-1400.degree. C.

Abstract: An aqueous ruthenium chloride solution for blackening ceramic surfaces includes ruthenium chloride; water present in an amount effective to provide an aqueous solution of ruthenium chloride; and a buffer which is selected from the group consisting of sodium acetate, sodium propionate, potassium acetate, potassium propionate, and mixtures thereof, and which is present in an amount effective to provide the aqueous solution with a pH of at least 1.5. A method for dyeing a ceramic surface includes applying the aqueous solution of ruthenium chloride to a ceramic surface by at least one of spraying, dipping, painting and printing to provide a treated surface; drying and firing the treated surface at a temperature ranging from about 300 to about 1400.degree. C. for a period of time ranging from one half hour to five hours; and grinding and polishing the treated surface to even out the treated surface.