Card types & finishes

Refractor

Also called: refractors

A refractor is a chrome card with a reflective coating that throws a rainbow shimmer when tilted. Topps introduced them in 1993, and they are among the most collected parallels in the hobby.

A refractor starts as a chrome card, then adds a thin refractive layer that catches light and scatters a rainbow across the surface. Hold a plain chrome card next to a refractor and the refractor almost glows.

Refractors come in many colors and patterns (gold, orange, red, and the 1-of-1 superfractor), and most are serial numbered, with the rarer colors numbered lower. Collecting one card in every refractor color is a rainbow.

Why it matters: the finish and the print run drive value. A base refractor is common, but a low-numbered colored refractor of a star rookie can be worth many times the base card.

This glossary is a plain-language reference for collectors, not financial or purchasing advice. Card values move, so always check recent sales before you buy or sell.

Related terms

ChromeChrome refers to cards printed on a shiny, reflective chromium stock instead of normal cardstock. Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome are the best-known chrome products.PrizmPrizm is Panini's flagship chrome product and the name of its shiny parallels, the Panini equivalent of a Topps refractor. A base Prizm has a silver reflective finish.ParallelA parallel is an alternate version of a base card with a different color or finish, usually printed in smaller quantities. Collecting every parallel of one card is called a rainbow.Serial numberedA serial numbered card is stamped with its place in a limited print run, such as 25/99, meaning the 25th of only 99 made. Lower print runs mean greater scarcity.RainbowA rainbow is a complete set of every parallel of a single card, from the base version through each color up to the 1-of-1. Completing one is a popular long-term chase.