The present invention relates to pigment compositions with improved and adjustable sparkling effect comprisingA) a platelet-like perlite; and B) an effect pigment; and a process for their production and their use in paints, ink-jet printing, for dyeing textiles, for pigmenting coatings (paints), printing inks, plastics, cosmetics, glazes for ceramics and glass. The pigment compositions show an improved sparkle effect; in particular an attractive high sparkle intensity.