Mother-of-pearl paper

Description

A decorative paper that has an iridescent surface. Patents were issued in 1855, 1864 and 1866 for the preparation of iridescent paper by floating glazed paper in a bath of silver or lead salts, then exposing the dried paper to hydrogen sulfide gas. An alternative procedure was to soak the paper in a solution of gum, iron sulfate, sulfate of indigo and nutgalls then exposed the dried paper to ammonia fumes. Today, iridescent paper is produced by special printing techniques and dyes.

Synonyms and Related Terms

mother of pearl paper; nacreous paper; iridescent paper; opalescent paper

Authority

• The Dictionary of Paper, American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980

• E.J.LaBarre, Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Paper and Paper-making, Swets & Zeitlinger, Amsterdam, 1969