Americans use nearly 30,000 short tons per year - much of that in celebration of Independence Day on the 4th of July. Individuals purchase and use about two-thirds of the total. The remainder is used in public fireworks displays. About 85 percent of consumer fireworks and half of the display variety are imported from China, Japan, Korea and such European countries as France and Italy. Despite our use and exposure to fireworks, few people stop to consider the minerals that make them such a spectacular part of the festivities.
Deep REDS are a product of strontium .
Bright flashes are created by using fine ground aluminum powder. The use of larger particles, such as small flakes or granules, give a longer, shower-like effect. Aluminum, antimony sulfide and perchlorate are other flash mixtures that are used. Fireworks are just one more example of how we use minerals for the manufacture of everything from automobiles to toothpaste.