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.

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.

Disclosed herein is an effect pigment having a layer stack which comprises a highly reflective metallic flake having a first major interface and opposed to this first interface a second major interface, and at least one side surface and directly adjacent on one or of both of these major interfaces a layer of a semiconducting material having an average atomic composition of: a) Si.sub.(1-x)Sn.sub.x, wherein 0<x<0.90 or b) Ge.sub.(1-y)Sn.sub.y, wherein 0<y0.80 or c) Si.sub.(1-m-n)Ge.sub.mSn.sub.n, wherein 0<m<1.00, 0<n<1.00 and with the proviso that m+n<1.00.

Disclosed herein is an effect pigment having a layer stack which comprises a highly reflective metallic flake having a first major interface and opposed to this first interface a second major interface, and at least one side surface and directly adjacent on one or of both of these major interfaces a layer of a semiconducting material having an average atomic composition of: a) Si.sub.(1-x)Sn.sub.x, wherein 0<x<0.90 or b) Ge.sub.(1-y)Sn.sub.y, wherein 0<y0.80 or c) Si.sub.(1-m-n)Ge.sub.mSn.sub.n, wherein 0<m<1.00, 0<n<1.00 and with the proviso that m+n<1.00.