The invention relates to a color effect layer system, including: a carrier substrate selected from glass or glass-ceramics, at least one layer of spheres, particularly preferred at least 50 layers, more preferred 50 to 100 layers, including filled or not filled cavities/honeycombs, in the form of a porous material composite of a crystal-like superstructure or an inverse crystal-like superstructure having a three-dimensional periodic or substantially periodic configuration in the order of magnitude of the wavelength of visible light, wherein the sphere diameters and optionally the cavity/honeycomb diameters have a very strict distribution. In addition to the excellent optical properties, the coating systems also have sufficient mechanical stability.