The present invention relates to interference pigments based on coated flake-form substrates which are distinguished by the fact in that they comprise (A) a layer of SiO<;SUB>;2 <;/SUB>;having a layer thickness of 5-350 nm, (B) a high-refractive-index coating having a refractive index n of >;1.8 and/or (C) an interference system consisting of alternating high- and low-refractive-index layers and optionally (D) an outer protective layer, and to the use thereof in paints, coatings, automotive paints, powder coatings, printing inks, security printing inks, plastics, ceramic materials, glasses, paper, in toners for electrophotographic printing processes, in seed, in greenhouse sheeting and tent awnings, as absorbers in the laser marking of paper and plastics, in cosmetic formulations, for the preparation of pigment pastes with water, organic and/or aqueous solvents, and for the preparation of pigment preparations and dry preparations.