metallic luster

Metal's surface gleam

Metallic luster is the shiny, reflective quality characteristic of metals—the way gold, silver, and copper catch and reflect light.

In mineralogy, luster describes how a surface interacts with light, and metallic luster specifically indicates that mirror-like gleam seen in native metals and certain ores: The pyrite had a bright metallic luster that fooled prospectors into thinking they'd found gold.

Related

sheen · galena · reflectivity · burnished · high shine · aluminum · specular reflection · light reflection · gloss · platinum · chromium · chrome plating · surface texture · metallurgy · mercury · tin foil · brilliance · light scattering

Opposites
surface reflectivity

metallic lustermatte finish

Non-reflective surface treatment

dull finish · flat finish · non-reflective · matte · lusterless

surface texture appearance

metallic lusterunpolished

Lacking finish or refinement

tarnished · rough texture · porous surface · rough finish · natural finish

material impression

metallic lusterearthy

Coarse and unpretentious

woolly · velvety · cottony · papery · woody

Family

metal, luster, metallic

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G