Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous compositions and methods to produce durable and vitreous colored interference films of nickel zinc oxide electroplating, including white zinc metallic colored electrodepositions for the zinc embodiment; brass, bronze, burgundy, purple, blue, green and black electroplatings covering both high and low bath concentration embodiments. The films are useful for decorative and functional purposes. The distinguishing features of the coating are its vivid colorfulness, its specular reflection and the perception of binocular depth by the observer caused by translucence of the deposited film. The baths can coat a variety of metal substrates, including brass, copper and most ferrous metals. The alkaline plating bath embodiment of this invention permits the coating to be directly electroplated over zinc, as well as aluminum.