Abstract: The composition is based on a samarium sesquisulphide, it exhibits a samarium purity with respect to other rare earth metals of greater than 99% and it comprises at least one alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element, at least a portion of which is included in the crystal lattice of the said sesquisulphide. According to another embodiment, the composition is based on a sesquisulphide of samarium and of at least one rare earth metal which is solely trivalent and it comprises at least one alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element, at least a portion of which is included in the crystal lattice of the said sesquisulphide. According to a third embodiment, the composition exhibits a samarium purity such that the cerium content is less than 1%. The process consists in reacting samarium, trivalent rare earth metal and alkali metal or alkaline earth metal compounds with a gaseous mixture of hydrogen sulphide and of carbon disulphide.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a beta rare earth sulphide as coloring pigment and its method of preparation. A beta rare-earth sulphide is used, the rare earth being lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, samarium or neodymium. The sulphide consists of whole crystallites forming medium-sized aggregates of not more than 1.5 &mgr;m. The method of preparation of this rare earth sulphide is characterized in that a rare earth compound is reacted with at least one sulphidizing gas selected among hydrogen sulphide or carbon sulphide. The pigment can be part of compositions of the following types: plastic, paint, surface coating, rubber, ceramic, glazing, paper, ink, cosmetic products, dyes, leather, laminated coating or other types of compositions with a base of at least one mineral binder or obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition based on a sulphur compound, zinc and optionally a transparent oxide, to a process for its preparation and to its use as a dye pigment. The composition of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a support based on at least one sulphur compound, and a zinc compound, deposited on the support and obtained by reaction of a zinc precursor with aqueous ammonia and/or an ammonium salt. The composition may also comprise a layer based on at least one transparent oxide deposited at the surface of the support and/or fluorine atoms. It may be prepared in particular by a process in which the support, a zinc precursor, aqueous ammonia and/or an ammonium salt and, if necessary, a transparent oxide precursor and a fluorinating agent are placed in contact and the zinc compound is deposited on the support and, where appropriate, the transparent oxide is precipitated on the said support.