Provided are scaly composite particles, including an indium layer, and a transparent inorganic layer on at least one surface of the indium layer. The transparent inorganic layer is an inorganic oxide, and has an average thickness of less than 25 nm. The scaly composite particles have a cumulative 50% volume-based particle diameter D.sub.50 of 1 μm or greater but 20 μm or less.

The invention relates to a color-neutral rutile pigment particle, a method for obtaining said pigment particle, and a composition comprised of said rutile pigment particle. Finally, the invention refers to the use of the rutile pigment particle in various applications.

An article includes at least one layer including a transparent portion and at least one metal portion; and a color-rendering layer; wherein the at least one metal portion is positioned in the article to provide reflection of incident light; and wherein the transparent portion is dimensioned to allow at least some incident light to pass through. A method of making an article is also disclosed.

Provided are: coated flaky titanic acid particles, which can form a design coating film with a good silky texture and shadowed appearance when flaky titanic acid is applied to an organic solvent-based paint and, which can also sufficiently suppress discoloration (yellowing) of the coating film even in a relatively severe environment, such as prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light; and a production method therefor.

The surface of the flaky titanic acid particles has an oxide and/or hydroxide of aluminum, and an anionic surfactant present thereon. Preferably, the anionic surfactant is a hydrocarbon-based anionic surfactant having 5 or more carbon atoms in the main chain or a fluorinated anionic surfactant having 4 or more carbon atoms. Said production method comprises: a step for maintaining an aqueous slurry, which contains flaky titanic acid particles and an aluminum source, at a temperature of 50-95 C. inclusive and at a pH of 5-12 inclusive to treat the surface of the flaky titanic acid particles with an oxide and/or hydroxide of aluminum; and a subsequent step for mixing the obtained flaky titanic acid and an anionic surfactant in a solution.

An article includes at least one layer including a transparent portion and at least one metal portion; and a color-rendering layer; wherein the at least one metal portion is positioned in the article to provide reflection of incident light; and wherein the transparent portion is dimensioned to allow at least some incident light to pass through. A method of making an article is also disclosed.