Abstract: An improved glass envelope for electric light sources is described comprising an outer glass body and a thin glass matrix solidly attached to the glass body and comprising pigment grains fully embedded in the glass matrix. A precursor solution is formed from an organic solvent and a metalorganic and/or inorganic composition suitable for forming a glass having a softening point lower than that of the glass body. The surfaces of pigment grains are coated with the precursor solution and the solvent is evaporated from the pigment grains for obtaining pigment grains covered with a glass layer. The surface of the glass body is covered with the coated pigment grains and then baked at a temperature below the softening point of the glass body.The resulting glass envelopes have decreased light absorption and provide for higher light efficiency and extend life times of the electric light sources.