Abstract: The stabilization of selected photochromic compounds, selected from certain fulgides and fulgimides, is made possible by associating with such compounds a clay mineral having an expanding crystal lattice, which can stabilize a selected photochromic compound in a higher-energy colored form. The stabilized photochromic compound may be one included in a coating composition, such as a paper coating composition, or may constitute or be incorporated in a filler for a papermaking furnish or for a plastics material. The stabilizer serves to maintain the photochromic compound in its higher-energy colored state or one of its higher-energy colored states, thereby tending to prevent deterioration of color as the photochromic compound converts to an uncolored or weakly colored lower-energy state.