Sebastian Köln wrote:As already mentioned the blue scales contain small structures that create the blue color by interference effects.
This means that the color depends on the interface between the air and the scales (or their refrative index).
Embedding the scales in resin means changing the interface to resin - scale, which changes how the light interacts with the scales.
Now you will probably not find any resin with the same refractive index as air (1.0, best resin 1.3), so the only way to preserve the blue color is not to use resin.
I would also suggest to put the wing between two thin glass plates and to seal the edge. You could use a metal band to cover the edges (copper, silver, gold, nickel silver).
The whole structure should be possible within 1 or 2 millimeters, depending on the allowed brittleness and weight.
*****Sebastian, on that note, what if the underside of the wing was painted a matte color and then the top and bottom lightly sealed with low/high gloss?
