Fish silver
Fish silver also silver luster or mother-of- pearl essence , pearl essence , Essence d'Orient , is an effect pigment of shimmering silvery color obtained for decorative purposes from the scales of white fish ( bleak ) . It is considered the oldest known pearlescent pigment . The substance is said to have been produced for the first time by the French rosary manufacturer Jacquin around 1655, the process was later improved by Réaumur , and industrial production began in North America in 1910.
Fish silver consists essentially of microscopic crystals of hypoxanthine and guanine with lime . It is obtained by rubbing the shiny silver scales of white fish ( bleak ) with water until the shiny coating of the scales settles on the bottom. This is then washed with ammonia . 18,000 to 20,000 fish are said to be required to wash out 0.5 kg of silver sheen.
The pigment is used in painting, the decoration of glasses cases or mixed with a little gelatin solution to produce glass beads ( imitation beads ) poured with wax . It is used as a pigment in cosmetics , for example for eye shadow , lipsticks and nail varnishes (pearl varnishes).
Individual evidence
- ↑ G. Pfaff: Special effect pigments . 2nd Edition. Vincentz Network, Hanover 2007, p. 16 ff .
- ↑ Central Polytechnic Hall. Hoffmann, 1857, p. 122 ff, limited preview in the Google book search.
- ↑ Pearl Essence . In: Meyers Konversations-Lexikon . 4th edition. Volume 12, Verlag des Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig / Vienna 1885–1892, p. 851.