Rare earth manganese oxide pigments

The present invention relates to pigments with various advantages over traditional pigment formulations. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of rare earth manganese oxide compositions for use in pigmentary applications. The rare earth constituent may include yttrium, lanthanum and/or metals in the Lanthanide Series of the Periodic Table. The pigments may be used in plastics, paints, coatings, glass enamels and other materials. Rare earth manganese oxides are used as pigments. The pigments are preferably of the formula (ReMn)O, where Re is at least one element selected from Y, La and Lanthanide elements, x is from 0.01 to 99, and y is the number required to maintain electroneutrality. Preferred rare earth elements include Y, La, Pr and Nd. The pigments are useful as colorants, and may possess improved reflectance characteristics in the infrared region, thereby reducing IR-induced heat buildup.