Ceramic glazes are often colored by adding small amounts of metallic oxides.
These metallic oxides act as coloring agents.
Different metal oxides give different colors in ceramic glaze.
Cobalt oxide is one of the strongest coloring oxides used in ceramic glazes.
It gives a blue color even when used in very small quantity.
The blue color is due to cobalt ions present in the glaze after firing.
Chromium oxide generally gives green color.
Iron oxide may give red, brown, yellow, or black shades depending on firing conditions.
Nickel oxide may give grey, brown, or greenish colors.
Therefore, the oxide which imparts blue color in glaze is:
\[
\text{Cobalt oxide}.
\]