Silver white pigments

Silver shiny white pigment is extracted from the scales of white fish (bleak) for decoration purposes. It is considered to be the oldest well-known pearlescent pigment that was isolated by Jaquin around 1655. It is obtained by rubbing the silver shiny scales from white fish with water until the coating of scales settles at the bottom. The pigment is used, amongst other things, mixed with a bit of gelatine solution as pearl essence (Essence d’Orient) to produce glass beads (imitation pearls) cast using wax.