There is a term for the characteristic of reflectivity/absorbtion of light which many

curly and figured woods exhibit. This effect accounts for the apparent “slip” or misalignment which appears on bookmatched species with a high degree of this

quality. And as the we change our orientation to the piece it can “flip” from dark to light. I have heard this referred to as “

” but I can not for the life of me

find the correct spelling or any definitive reference to this term, even though I’m sure

I first encountered it in Fine Woodworking. It would be most helpful in educating clients who think you have done something wrong when one half of a matched panel

appears darker than the other, or a fiddleback curl appears misaligned.

Thanks and Alooooooooha!