Well written, CZ. Thank you for that understandable explanation. I am now somewhat accepting that there may be a way for light, for long enough periods, to change that structure. What I would like a bit more understanding of, if possible, concerns what you explained about the energy from light, or other sources, changing the shape of the iron globules that actually reflect (or refract?) the light into the colors we see. You explained that the changes in their structure cause them to reflect a different wavelength of light, thus we see a different color than previously. If that is the case, why does it always fade into a lighter, paler shade of that same color, and not just change colors completely? No colors on a case-hardened gun actually change into another color, they just slowly fade away from abrasions, however slight they may be (but cumulative), until they are no more.
You have piqued my interest and curiosity, and I want to understand more about this. I have a heat treating, thermostatically controlled oven, wood and bone charcoal, a crucible and means to handle it at temperature, but have yet to take the plunge, pardon the pun. Still trying to garner more information that might help me gain some level of control over the results.
Thanks, SRH
