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Pearlescent Lusters
Sparkling
Because the platelets are flat, a point of light will be reflected at one angle. If the platelets are big enough, they sparkle. In part, we see this because one eye sees a reflection from a particular point and the other does not. Alternatively, as we move our eye [or move the piece of glass] slightly, illumination of a point on the surface changes. Our eyes [actually a lot of stuff behind our eyes] are programmed to have a great interest in such an effect because it is closely associated with movement in our vision, and movement out there is almost always more important than still objects. So, sparkling surfaces trick our eyes into being interested in the subject.
Finally, since the mica platelets have a color, we can create surfaces where background color of the glass is different from the reflection from the luster. And, by putting down a luster on the inside of a vessel, that surface can be visualized as a color. (Normally the inside surface of a vessel is not interesting or noticed.) The result is an object whose color is hard to define: it doesnít seem right to say a color is gold and red and blue all at the same time, but with lusters on glass it makes sense.
All of these effects are incorporated into these tiny reflective plates when put on the surface of glass.
That these pearlescent lusters wow the senses and lure the attention of the observer is attested by their major commercial uses: First, these lusters are responsible for the myriad of "metallic" finishes seen on those shinny new cars. Secondly, these lusters are the same that are seen decorating the eyes, faces, and lips of women. And finally, the lusters are used in the decoration of fish lures.
