The cross-section of pearlescent pigments has a physical structure similar to pearls; the core is mica with low optical refractive index, and the outer layer is wrapped with metal oxides with high refractive index, such as titanium dioxide or iron oxide. Under ideal conditions, pearlescent pigments are evenly dispersed in the coating and form a multi-layer distribution parallel to the surface of the material. As in pearls, the incident light will be reflected through multiple reflections and interfere with the pearlescent effect. With the development of pearlescent pigment production, the application of pearlescent pigments is becoming more and more well-known. It can be used in automobile, motorcycle, bicycle coatings, powder coatings, architectural coatings, pearlescent inks, pearlescent plastic products, pearlescent cosmetics, and can also be used in papermaking, printing and dyeing, printing rubber, ceramics and other industries.
Color principle
　　 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 the main representatives of optical interference pigments on top of the tripod.
　　 pearlescent pigments show different effects in use depending on the size of their particles. In general, the larger the particle, the stronger the flickering effect, and the weaker the hiding power of the background color; on the contrary, the smaller the particle, the stronger the hiding power of the background color and the softer the gloss.
　　Changing the thickness of metal oxide or the type of metal oxide will bring about color changes