Patent ID: 8728228

Claim:
Multilayer pearlescent pigments based on platelet-shaped transparent substrates with an optically active coating, wherein the optically active coating comprises at least a) a nonabsorbing high-index layer A having a refractive index n≧1.8 b) a low-index layer B having a refractive index n<1.8 having an optical layer thickness >150 nm c) an absorbing high-index layer C having a refractive index n≧1.8 and also d) optionally an outer protective layer D, and wherein the multilayer pearlescent pigments have a cumulative frequency distribution of a volume-averaged size distribution function, with indices D 10 , D 50 , D 90 and a span ΔD of 0.7-1.4, the span ΔD being calculated in accordance with the formula ΔD=(D 90 −D 10 )/D 50 , wherein said multilayer pearlescent pigments have chroma values C* 15 of at least 22.