The present invention relates to novel pigments based on substrates coated with at least one selectively light absorbing layer of fluorides, oxyfluorides, fluorosulfides and/or oxyfluorosulfides. Metal oxides or mixed metal oxides are coated onto a substrate; the resulting precursor is transferred into a furnace and calcined under a fluoridizing and/or sulfurizing gas flow to convert the oxides into fluorides, oxyfluorides, fluorosulfides and/or oxyfluorosulfides depending on the reaction parameters. The conversion to fluorides, oxyfluorides, fluorosulfides and/or oxyfluorosulfides is preferably carried out in a fluidized bed reactor. Angle-dependent optical pigments are thus produced which are especially useful in paints, powder coatings, paper coatings, plastics, cosmetics, inks and security-enhancing features as well as in decorative applications for foods and drugs.