The use of an effect pigment (a) comprising an aluminum-based substrate and an iron oxide coating having a red 1.sup.st order interference color in combination with a colored absorption pigment (b) for producing a coating having enhanced coloristic properties, in particular enhanced chroma, lightness and hiding power, is provided. The pigment combination of (a) and (b) is suitable for coloring plastics, a fiber, a film and a coating composition such as a paint, a printing ink, a varnish or a powder coating, preferably an automotive, an architectural or an industrial coating composition.

A multi-layered pigment includes a metal core such as AlSiO.sub.2. A high refractive index layer such as TiO.sub.2 is applied by an aqueous organic two-phase process to and surrounding the metal core. The high refractive index layer has a thickness greater than 120 nm wherein the high refractive index layer is uniform and crack-free.

A particle including a core particle; and a vapor deposited colorant including an organic colored material that encapsulates the core particle. The particle can be a special effect pigment or a thin film interference pigment. Methods of making the particle are also disclosed.

A bright pigment according to the present invention includes: a glass flake; a titanium oxide layer formed over the glass flake; and fine gold particles deposited on the titanium oxide layer or placed between the glass flake and the titanium oxide layer. The titanium oxide layer has a thickness of 150 nm or more, and a reflected color of the bright pigment is a blue to green color represented by a C* value of 15 or more and a h value of 150 to 300 in a L*C*h color system.

The present invention relates to pigments, comprising a plate-like substrate of perlite, and (a) a dielectric material, especially a metal oxide, having a high index of refraction; and/or (a) a metal layer, especially a thin semi-transparent metal layer; a process for their production and their use in paints, ink jet printing, for dyeing textiles, for pigmenting coatings (paints), printing inks, plastics, cosmetics, glazes for ceramics and glass.

The invention relates to metallic effect pigments with coating, comprising a platelet-shaped substrate, where the coating comprises at least one hybrid inorganic/organic layer, the hybrid layer having at least partly an inorganic network that has one or more inorganic oxide components, and having at least one organic component, the organic component being at least partly an organic oligomer and/or polymer which is covalently bonded at least partly to the inorganic network via one or more organic network formers. The invention further relates to a method of producing these metallic effect pigments, and to their use.

An article includes a reflector having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a third surface; and a first selective light modulator layer external to the first surface of the reflector; wherein the third surface of the reflector is open. A method of making an article is also disclosed.

An optical device includes a colored reflector layer having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a third surface; and a selective light modulator layer external to the first surface of the colored reflector layer. A method of making an optical device is also disclosed.

A process of forming a multi-layered pigment includes the steps of: providing a metal core material; dispersing the metal core material in a first solvent and organic binder mixture; depositing a high refractive index material onto the metal core material; drying the deposited high refractive index and metal core material wherein the high refractive index layer is uniform and crack-free.

This invention relates to a pearlescent pigment, which is composed of flaky alumina substrate particles produced by a hydrothermal process and coat layers formed on the flaky substrate particles and composed of at least one metal oxide including at least a titanium oxide. The metal oxide has an average particle size of from 1 to 500 nm. According to this invention, it is possible to provide a pearlescent pigment, which has wholly uniform photoluminescence and an elegant and silky feel in combination and can fully satisfy artistry as desired.