Product Description

The GOLDEN Iridescent and Interference Colors achieve their reflective properties by synthetically reproducing several natural phenomena-the nacreous, or pearlescent, qualities found in fish scales or the dust of a butterfly's wing, and the shiny and reflective qualities found in certain metals and minerals.

"Coarse" Iridescent and Interference Colors are simply larger particle size versions of our "Fine" Iridescent and Interference products. Coarse colors in the Iridescent line include Copper, Copper Light, Gold and Pearl. The Coarse Interference Colors are Blue, Gold, Green and Red.

All of GOLDEN's Iridescent Colors produce a luster quality by themselves, or when mixed with other colors and mediums. The GOLDEN line of Iridescents can be separated into 3 groups based on chemical composition.

Group I: These colors are derived from mica platelets. They are then coated with an extremely thin layer of titanium dioxide. Refraction and reflection of light at the titanium dioxide layers produces various colors and pearlescent effects. Group I pigments include:
Interference Colors
Iridescent Pearl (Coarse and Fine)
Silver

Group II: These colors are also derived from mica platelets, but an iron oxide coating causes Group II pigments to possess hues in addition to pearlescent qualities. This group includes:
Iridescent Gold (Coarse and Fine)
Iridescent Copper and Copper Light (Coarse and Fine)
Iridescent Bronze

Group III: A third group consists of reflective colorants that do not fit the above descriptions, including highly metallic pigments:
Stainless Steel (Coarse & Fine)
Micaceous Iron Oxide
Mica Flakes (all varieties)

Luster Arises from Layers of Pigments:
The pigments in the first two groups (non-metallics) are composed of very thin, highly reflective and transparent platelets. Although the pigments themselves are transparent, the optical illusion of color is produced by the multiple reflection of light between microscopic layers.

The Phenomenon of Light Interference:
The property at work in the Interference Colors is known as light interference, most commonly seen in the rainbow effect created by a thin layer of oil on the surface of water. Thomas Young identified this phenomenon in 1801 in a series of investigations that were eventually instrumental in advancing the theory for the wave-like nature of light.

Whenever light strikes a boundary between two materials of different densities, the light will either be reflected or refracted. If the refracted light encounters yet another boundary between materials of different densities, this light will again either be reflected or refracted. This process continues every time a new phase is encountered.

Light interference results from these concurrent multiple reflections and refractions of light. If the interference is constructive in nature, a strong color stimulus results. With Interference colors, a specific thickness of the titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer allows only a narrow spectrum of color to be reflected in phase, while all other reflected colors undergo destructive interference and are not observed. Since these pigments are transparent, a portion of the light will be transmitted and the resulting color will appear as the complement to the reflected color.

Excellent Weathering Resistance:
Mica is quite insoluble in strong acids or bases, is inherently lightfast, and remains unaffected by water. When combined with a 100% acrylic medium, mica yields very stable paints that offer excellent permanency.

Mica's chemical and UV resistance properties distinguish the Iridescent Mediums from most metal pigments, such as coppers, bronzes and even aluminum flakes. Metals have a tendency to rust or corrode as they continually oxidize over time. With the Iridescent colors, all components are already in the most stable state of oxidation, and there is no possibility for change resulting from further oxidizing reactions.

The metals that GOLDEN has chosen to offer are known to demonstrate remarkable durability. GOLDEN Stainless Steel (Coarse & Fine), which consists of extremely durable 316L grade stainless, is very resistant to salt spray and acid spotting, as well as alkaline cleaners or detergents. The Micaceous Iron Oxide, although highly reflective, is not in a metallic state but is already oxidized.