Thin layers of ceria were deposited on the surface of mica platelets in solution. The reaction of such particles with hydrogen sulfide yields a red colored special effect pigment. The ceria layer reacts with H2S to produce a variety of sulfide and oxysulfide phases. The reaction path discovered in situ by time and temperature resolved X-ray diffraction is CeO2 --> CeS2 --> C-Ce2S3 --> Ce10S14O. The reaction itself is extremely variable depending on gas flow, heating rates and decomposition atmospheres. Effects on the thin film are recorded by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and revealed a destruction of the layer once red Ce10S14O was formed. The product layer then reveals the typical nonwetting behaviour of a liquid on a surface. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.