Like any industry, French polishing is filled with vocabulary that has historical significance and meaning, and we’d like to begin a new series on this blog to explain the different words you may hear when speaking to a professional French polisher.
Chatoyance comes from the French term “oeil de chat” which means “cat’s eye.” It refers to the visual effect found in wood that causes the grain to appear almost three dimensional. Chatoyance highlights the fibres in wood while also reflecting a light or sheen, similar to that of silk. While chatoyance can easily be seen when wood is wet, it is more difficult to maintain. French polishing, when done correctly, can permanently achieve this highly desirable look.
Wood isn’t the only object that can display chatoyance, certain gem stones like Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl and Tiger’s Eye are also famous for it.
At Terry Waters French Polishing, our experienced French polishers know how to achieve beautiful chatoyance in wood. Contact us today to find out more about our domestic and commercial French polishing services.
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