An optically variable element

An optically variable element, wherein the optical variable element has at least a first diffraction grating and at least a second diffraction grating having a respective grating period in the range of between 100 nm and 500 nm, wherein the first diffraction grating and second diffraction gratings are designed such that a) defined at a predetermined, with respect to rotation to a normal (N) to a surface (14) of the optically variable element rotational angle (Φ) and a predetermined, defined with respect to this rotation, the illumination angle (Θ) of a first color by the first diffraction grating generated and is a second, different to the first color is generated by the second diffraction grating, with the respective azimuth angles of the first and second diffraction gratings by a maximum of 25 ° is different and / or (b) at a first, with respect to rotation about a normal N) (to a surface 14) of the optically variable element defined rotational angle (Φ) and a predetermined, defined with respect to this rotation, the illumination angle (Θ) through the first diffraction grating a color due to light having wavelengths in the range of between 430 nm and 690 nm is generated and a color is generated on the basis of wavelengths through the second diffraction grating which are smaller than 430 nm, and defined at a second, with respect to the rotation angle of rotation and the predetermined illumination angle a color is generated at wavelengths from between 430 nm and 690 nm due to light by the second diffraction grating, and a color is generated on the basis of wavelengths through the first diffraction grating, which are greater than 690 nm.