sparkle

Sparkle is a visual phenomenon produced by small, bright points of light that appear briefly as light is reflected, refracted, or scattered in an environment. The effect is often described as glittering, twinkling, or shimmering, depending on the context and motion of the light source.

Physically, sparkle arises from micro-scale interactions between light and a surface or material. Specular highlights on a smooth surface create bright spots when viewed from certain angles. On rough or faceted surfaces, light is reflected in many directions, producing multiple glints. Rapid motion of the observer or light source, as well as atmospheric or medium changes, can cause sparkle to vary or disappear.

Natural occurrences include stars seen from Earth, sunlight sparkling on water or ice, and the facets of gemstones that reflect light to create fire and scintillation. In fabricated materials, sparkle is often engineered with prisms, facets, or glitter particles to enhance visual appeal. In cosmetics and fashion, products are described as glittering or sparkling when their particles or finishes scatter light.

Sparkle is also used in digital media to simulate twinkling highlights, such as lens flares, star bursts, or animated glitter appearing on text or images. Perceived sparkle depends on luminance contrast, angular geometry, distance, and the observer's visual system.