The present invention relates to semitransparent pearlescent pigments, to processes for producing them, and to the use of such pearlescent pigments, where the pearlescent pigments comprise monolithically constructed substrate platelets composed of a metal oxide having an average thickness of 1 to 40 nm and a form factor, expressed by the ratio of the mean size to the average thickness, of at least 80, which are enveloped by at least one substantially transparent coating A composed of at least one low-index metal oxide and/or metal oxide hydrate, having a refractive index of less than 1.8, and at least one interference layer in the form of a coating B composed of at least one high-index metal oxide, having a refractive index of at least 1.8.