Dreamstar KT-8235 Glitter Bright Green Borosilicate Pearl Pigment

KT-8235 belongs to Kolortek's Dreamstar Series — a line of borosilicate-based effect pigments engineered specifically for applications that demand something beyond what conventional mica delivers. The substrate here is synthetic calcium aluminum borosilicate, coated with titanium dioxide and tin oxide. The result is a large, smooth flake geometry with an unusually high refractive index.

Optically, KT-8235 behaves as an interference effect pigment. On white or light substrates, it tends to read as near-white or pale. Place it over a dark or black base, and the glitter bright green snaps into full visibility — saturated, luminous, and directionally intense. This behavior is predictable and consistent, which matters when you're dialing in a formula across batches.

The green coloristic effect comes from a combination of the borosilicate base and the titanium dioxide/tin oxide coating system, not from organic dyes. That contributes to the pigment's stability profile and makes it appropriate for a wider range of processing conditions.

Product Specifications

Applications

KT-8235's 30–150 μm particle range means it sits in glitter territory — visually coarse enough to produce individual flake sparkle, not a uniform satiny sheen. That makes it a strong fit for:

• Cosmetics: Eyeshadows, highlighters, body products where visible green sparkle is the target effect. Compatible with typical cosmetic carrier systems.
• Nail formulations: Gel systems, UV polishes, and nail lacquers benefit directly from the high-flake brightness at this particle size. The clean green reads well in both thick and thin film layers.
• Decorative coatings and craft: Water-based and solvent-based decorative paints, art media, and craft applications. Works well layered over dark primers or black bases.
• Automotive and specialty coatings: For iridescent green effects in specialty coat applications, larger-flake borosilicate pigments like KT-8235 deliver the kind of depth and directionality that mica-coated alternatives struggle to match.
• Printing: Worth noting — at this particle size range, screen printing and select specialty print processes are viable. Conventional offset or gravure would require finer grades.

Key Characteristics

A few things consistently come up when formulators work with this material:

Transparency is unusually high. The borosilicate substrate is inherently more transparent than mica. That means light passes through the flake, interacts with the coating layers, and reflects back with less scattering. The green effect is cleaner and more saturated — less muddy — than you'd typically get from a mica-based pearlescent pigment at similar loadings.

Flake geometry matters here. The large, smooth flake structure is what drives the diamond-sparkle aesthetic. Mechanical shear during processing can fragment flakes and degrade the effect. Mix gently, add late in the process, and avoid high-speed dispersion equipment if you're targeting maximum visual impact.

Substrate color controls color expression. In practice, KT-8235 over a white base will appear much lighter — almost silvery-green or near-white depending on viewing angle. Over black or dark bases, the bright green effect is fully realized. This is standard interference pigment behavior, but it catches formulators off guard when working with the borosilicate grades for the first time because the effect is especially pronounced here.

Loading levels: Typical working ranges for decorative coatings and cosmetics run 1–5% by weight, though nail and craft applications may go higher. Effect intensity scales with loading up to a point — over-loading with large-flake pigments tends to reduce sparkle by crowding flake orientation.

Borosilicate vs. Mica-Based Pearl: Practical Differences

FAQ

Q: Is KT-8235 suitable for cosmetic use?
Yes. The Dreamstar Series is used in cosmetic applications including eyeshadow and nail products. That said, confirm regulatory compliance for your target market — ingredient approval varies between US (FDA), EU, and Japan. Documentation including MSDS, TDS, and COA is available on request.

Q: Why does the green color appear weak over white backgrounds?
KT-8235 functions as an interference pigment. The color arises from light interference through the coating layers, not from dye absorption. Over light substrates, the interference angle and transmitted/reflected wavelengths partially cancel the perceived color. A dark or black base absorbs transmitted light and allows the reflected green interference color to dominate. This is expected behavior — not a defect.

Q: Can KT-8235 be dispersed in water-based systems?
Yes. Borosilicate pigments are generally compatible with aqueous systems. Use low-shear mixing — a paddle or anchor-type mixer, not a high-speed disperser. Add the pigment after the base formula is prepared, and avoid extended high-shear blending, which degrades flake size and reduces sparkle intensity.

Q: What's the difference between KT-8235 and the 9235MK grade mentioned in automotive applications?
The 9235MK designation typically refers to a masstone or automotive-optimized variant calibrated for iridescent green automotive coating applications. KT-8235 is the standard Dreamstar grade. For automotive coat specifications, request technical data for both grades and evaluate against your film build and VOC system requirements. Contact contact@kolortek.com for direct comparison data.

Request Samples or Technical Data

If you're evaluating KT-8235 for a formulation, the most direct next step is running it in your actual system — substrate, binder, and processing conditions all affect the final result with a flake pigment at this particle size. Reach out to contact@kolortek.com to request a sample, TDS, or formulation guidance specific to your application.