Transaction and ID cards having selected texture and coloring

Cards made in accordance with the invention include a specially treated thin decorative layer attached to a thick core layer of metal or ceramic material， where the thin decorative layer is designed to provide selected color(s) and/or selected texture(s) to a surface of the metal cards. Decorative layers for use in practicing the invention include: (a) an anodized metal layer; or (b) a layer of material derived from plant or animal matter (e.g.， wood， leather); or (c) an assortment of aggregate binder material (e.g.， cement， mortar， epoxies) mixed with laser reactive materials (e.g.， finely divided carbon); or (d) a ceramic layer; and (e) a layer of crystal fabric material. The cards may be dual interface smart cards which can be read in a contactless manner and/or via contacts.