Abstract: An ornamental article comprises a base at least a surface portion of which comprises a transition metal selected from Group 4a, 5a and 6a elements in the periodic table or its alloy; a hard carbon film covering a surface of the base; and an intermediate layer interposed between the base and the hard carbon film and containing a carbide of the transition metal. The hard carbon film has a high adhesion strength to its base, and is superior in corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: There is Provided a decorative member having a coat of a hard carbon layer on a surface of a ceramic base, wherein the hard carbon layer has peaks in the ranges of wave numbers 1160.+-.40 cm.sup.-1, 1340.+-.40 cm.sup.-1 and 1500.+-.60 cm.sup.-1 of Raman spectra, and maximum intensity H.sub.1 of the peak residing in the range of 1160.+-.40 cm.sup.-1, maximum intensity H.sub.2 residing of 1340.+-.40 cm.sup.-1 cm.sup.-1 and maximum intensity H.sub.3 residing 1500.+-.60 cm.sup.-1 satisfy the following relations: 0.02.ltoreq.H.sub.1 /H.sub.2 .ltoreq.1.0 and H.sub.2 <H.sub.3, said member showing an excellent corrosion resistance, having no oozing out of a solution of a metal causing allergy on a human body and having a required mechanical properties.