| abstract |
A pearlescent pigment and a process for enhancing the magnetic properties of a pearlescent pigment. The pearlescent pigment has a layer with regions of γ-Fe 2 O 3 and regions of α-Fe 2 O 3 . The magnetic properties of a pearlescent pigment may be enhanced by the steps of: providing a platelet pigment with a layer of Fe 2 O 3 , with a magnetic susceptibility less than 0.1×10 −5 m 3 /kg; reducing some or all of the Fe 2 O 3 to Fe 3 O 4 ; and oxidizing some or all of the Fe 3 O 4 to γ-Fe 2 O 3 . The color difference (ΔE*) between the provided pigment and the resultant pigment is not more than about 5. |