Fiddleheads makes it easy to purchase a violin with this seemingly moving, holographic flame [With Video]

Violin with chatoyant flame over a similar looking cat's eye

Have you ever looked closely at a cat’s eye and seen how mysterious depth and how the colours appear to move, like a borealis? Or admired the wavering prismatic effect on a “tigers eye” gemstone? Get this: wood can exhibit this striking optical effect as well.

The effect is called chatoyance (pronounced shah-toy-ence).

The poetic word comes from the French “œil de chat,“ which literally translates to “cat's eye” owing to the fact feline’s irises present a beautiful holographic effect when the pupils are constricted or at their smallest.

Many species of fine hardwood can also display the fascinating characteristic of “chatoyancy” (the state of being chatoyant), appearing as though the wood is moving and changing colour and shape, as if it has dimension.

Scientists have concluded the most strained parts of the tree with the most weight are under pressure that causes the wood to become more dense than other areas and the effect is created in what we refer to as the wood’s “flame” (because it appears to dance like a campfire) or “figuring.”

Flame is often described as ribboned, tiger-striped, quilted. “Bird’s eye” or “burl” are also grown in this fashion, though they have a different figuring than the usual fine to wide stripes. Marbled chatoyance tends to exhibit the phenomenon the most owing to the width of each section.

Maple, the wood used in the backs, ribs and neck/scroll of violins, is most frequently found to have these almost magical properties. Chatoyant wood is highly sought after for furniture production and, far more appropriate in this author’s opinion, instrument making. Chatoyance is not something you will usually see in student instruments as the material costs more than plainer woods.

 

VIDEO: Chatoyant Flamed Wood on a Fiddleheads Bellissima "Scarlatta" model Violin

Chatoyance varies from one piece of wood to the next, as unique as our fingerprints. Some chatoyance is more three dimensional in appearance, with the stunning effect of the wood appearing to move like a flame as the violin is tilted slightly side to side. The ensuing 3D effect is most obvious when you look at it from different angles.

Some people who work with chatoyant materials often to chatoyance as “the wet look,” since wetting or varnishing the wood or gem creates the effect owing to the addition of an extra optical layer. Higher sheen oil finishes are more likely to adequately bring out the depth of the effect owing to the varnish stopping any light scattering on the wood’s surface.

Fiddleheads sells many violins with chatoyant flame. Trying to illustrate the marvel in 2D still photos is nearly impossible, so it’s one of those things you really have to see in person to fully appreciate it. To help our customers select a violin with this mystical quality, Fiddleheads is the world’s first violin shop to include each instruments’ degree of chatoyance in the details tab of each instruments’ and bows’ product page.

Be sure to keep this in mind when you are narrowing down your options for your next purchase from our shop. (You can purchase the stunning Bellissima "Scarlatta" model violin, as shown in the video, HERE)