Since ancient times, one of the reasons that humans have regarded pearls as a symbol of the most beautiful is its unique and beautiful color, which brings elegant color enjoyment to people. We have been trying to imitate this luster-we call it the pearlescent effect. Since the 17th century, Europeans have used fish scale extracts to make pearlescent pigments, mainly to meet the needs of the cosmetics industry. Today, there are still some expensive pearlescent pigments.  In the 1950s and 1960s, pearlescent pigments with real practical significance were developed. This is the "metal oxide/mica" pigment.
Compared with traditional optical absorption type organic and inorganic pigments and optical reflection type metal pigments, the color forming principle of pearlescent pigments is completely different, so its effect is also unique. Pearlescent pigments are one of the three main representatives of optical interference pigments. Changing the thickness of the metal oxide coated on the mica core or the type of metal oxide will bring about color changes. Classified by material composition and light color characteristics, there are mainly the following types of pearlescent pigments in the market:
1. Silver white:
The most commonly used varieties consist of anatase or rutile titanium dioxide coated mica flakes. It exhibits a variety of silver-white lusters ranging from delicate and soft to sparkling.
2. Iridescent interference color series:
The material composition is the same as above, except that the titanium dioxide layer is thicker and uniform, which causes the reflected light to interfere selectively. In a specific viewing angle, the light of certain specific colors is highlighted, while the complementary color light disappears. Therefore, this series of products has the characteristic of "discoloration". Products with different particle sizes are available for use.
·Note that different interference color products cannot be mixed, otherwise only a dim gray will be obtained.
3. Golden series:
It is composed of titanium oxide and titanium dioxide composite coated with mica, and different products have golden luster with multiple hues. Compared with lead gold powder, it has good transparency, soft color and strong three-dimensional effect. Products with different particle size are available
4. Metallic color series:
It is directly coated with iron oxide and covered with mica. It has a warm metallic luster. Products with different particle sizes are available.

Generally speaking, the proportion of pearlescent pigments used to express the gloss effect is greater, and the proportion of color is less. In addition, the advantage of pearlescent pigments lies in its good physical and chemical properties, which are determined by its material composition: Inorganic: stable, good resistance to temperature, strong light and acid-base environments; non-metallic: no heavy metals , Chemically inert, no harm to the environment and human body.