The invention relates to interference pigments based on SiO.sub.2 flakes having a broad layer-thickness distribution, and to the use thereof in paints, coatings, powder coatings, plastics and in particular in cosmetic formulations and for colouring food and pharmaceutical products.

A magnetic pigment flake includes a filtering film layer, with magnetic or magnetizable material, and a metal nanoparticles layer, formed on a surface of the filtering film layer. The metal nanoparticles layer is configured to generate scattered light enhanced by a local surface plasmon resonance under an irradiation of visible light exceeding a predetermined intensity. An optically variable ink includes an ink body and the above-mentioned magnetic pigment flakes. An anti-falsification article includes an article body and the above-mentioned optically variable ink. The magnetic pigment flake of the optically variable ink is magnetically oriented, such that a bright and dark areas are generated with a viewing angel changing under an irradiation of visible light below the predetermined intensity. Under an irradiation of visible light exceeding the predetermined intensity, light with a color different from that of the bright area is generated on a corresponding position of the dark area.

The invention relates to i) a multilayer material; ii) a process for preparing said multilayer materials; iii) a cosmetic composition comprising one or more multilayer materials; iv) a process for treating keratin materials, notably human keratin materials such as the skin; v) the use of multilayer material for screening out ultraviolet (UV) rays. Said multilayer material has an odd number N of layers: .square-solid.comprising at least three layers, each layer of which consists of a material A or of a material B different from A, said successive layers A and B being alternated and two adjacent layers having different refractive indices; .square-solid.for which the thickness of each layer obeys the mathematical formula (I) below: [x/y/(αx/y).sub.a/x] in which formula (I): x is the thickness of the inner and outer layer; y is the thickness of the layer adjacent to the inner layer αx or the outer layer x; α is an integer or fraction and α=2±0 to 15%, preferably α=2±0 to 10%, more preferentially α=2±0 to 5%, the intermediate odd layers (αx) have a double thickness±0 to 15% of the thickness of said outer layers x; and a represents an integer greater than or equal to 0, connected to the number of alternated layers N such that a=(N−3)/2; it being understood that: .square-solid.preferably, x has a different thickness from y; .square-solid.when several layers are of thickness x, this means that each layer has a thickness x±0 to 15%, preferably±0 to 10%, more preferentially±0 to 5%; .square-solid.when several layers are of thickness y, this means that each layer has a thickness y±0 to 15%, preferably±0 to 10%, more preferentially±0 to 5%; and .square-solid.when several layers are of thickness α x, this means that each layer has a thickness α x±0 to 15%, preferably±0 to 10%, more preferentially±0 to 5%.

An effect pigment includes a substrate; an outer layer disposed above the substrate; and particles disposed above the substrate and at least partially entrapped by the outer layer, the particles comprising quantum dots.

The invention relates to an absorbent effect pigment including a nonmetallic substrate in platelet form and a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating includes at least one spacer layer. The invention further relates to a process for production of and to the use of the absorbent effect pigment.

The invention relates to a transparent effect pigment which includes a non-metallic platelet-shaped substrate and a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating has a spacer layer. The invention further relates to a method for the production, as well as the use, of the transparent effect pigment.

The present invention relates to red effect pigments including a nonmetallic substrate in platelet form and a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating includes at least one of metal oxide, metal hydroxide or metal oxide hydrate, the metal ions of the metal oxide, metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide hydrate comprise at least two different metal ions selected from the group of metals consisting of Fe, Sn, Ti and Zr, and to a process for production thereof and to the use of the red effect pigments.

Ceramic colours containing effect pigments and a liquid glass forming component for decoration of metallic, ceramic and glassy articles and a process for the preparation of a ceramic glaze.

The invention relates to platelet-shaped pearlescent pigments that are coated with at least one mixed inorganic/organic layer for improving their application properties, and of these, particularly their mechanical properties, and to methods for the production thereof and to the use thereof. The said mixed inorganic/organic layer comprises at least one at least partially crosslinked inorganic metal-oxide component and an organic component. The organic component is at least one organic oligomer and/or polymer, which is covalently bonded, at least in part, to the inorganic network via network formers, wherein the coating comprises at least one mixed inorganic/organic layer, which mixed mixed layer comprises, at least in part, an inorganic network having one or more inorganic oxide component(s) and at least one organic component, the organic component being, at least in part, an organic oligomer and/or polymer covalently bonded, at least in part, to the inorganic network via one or more organic network formers. The invention also relates to a method for the production of such pearlescent pigments.

Effect pigments based on Al.sub.2O.sub.3 flakes with high weather resistance and less photoactivity and to their use thereof in paints, industrial coatings, automotive coatings, printing inks, cosmetic formulations. The effect pigments have a ratio of the amount by weight of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 of the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 flake and the amount by weight of the metal oxide(s) of the coating layer(s) in the range of from 27:73 to 83:17 based on the total weight of the effect pigment.