On: YInMn, the First New Blue Pigment in Two Centuries

[Osmium]

It's likely expensive because of the synthesis and quality control not because of the raw ingredients (not that they're necessarily cheap either).

[samatman → Osmium]

Indium is a bit more expensive than silver at the moment, the other two are much cheaper.

So yes, synthesis, quality control, probable patent encumbrance, and high demand, more than raw ingredient price: but it'll never be particularly cheap.

[londons_explore → samatman]

But how many grams of pigment in a can of paint?