Ink Review: J.herbin Eclat De Saphir (Sapphire Blue)

[Chrissy]

I have decided to review some of my many inks. These aren't necessarily in any particular order.

This one is J Herbin Eclat de saphir (Sapphire blue):

Eclat de saphir (Sapphire blue): Sapphire is a gemstone. The terminology probably comes from 2 origins: the Greek with “sappheiros” (a stone of blue color) or from the Hebrew “sappir” (the most beautiful thing).

 

This color is a reminder of J. Herbin and his work at the most prestigious royal courts of Europe.

From the beginning, J. Herbin distinguished itself from its competitors by offering a wide range of colors for the fountain pen inks. In 2007, 4 new colors were introduced which brought a total of 30 references of various colors. The names chosen for each color are very poetic to preserve the originality of the brand and as a French tradition.

• This isn't a waterproof or an archival ink
• Bearing in mind the paper I use is very smooth, this ink took 13-16 secs to dry.
• It flows well and lubricates the nib quite well.
• It is currently available in sampling packs of 4 x 10ml mini glass bottles and 30ml D bottles. Each bottle of 30 ml has an integrated pen rest. They are known as “D bottle pen inks. The “D” refers to the old French unit of measure “la Demi Courtine”.
• It's available from many B&M shops and online retailers worldwide.

 

J. Herbin is the oldest name in pen inks in the world. M. Herbin created “The Jewel of Inks” in his shop on the Rue des Fosses Saint-Germain in Paris in 1700.

 

Herbin uses all natural dyes in their fountain pen inks. This natural composition is reflected in the very neutral pH of the inks.

 

 

[alexander_k]

Thanks for the review - not a bad ink (except that my bottle grew mouldy) but I'm not enamoured with this particular hue. There are so many light / bright blues that we're spoiled for choice.

[jmccarty3]

Êclat de Saphir also is available in 100 ml bottles, not only more economical if you're using a lot of it, but also easier to fill from than the standard 30 ml ones. I find Pelikan Edelstein Sapphire to be brighter, but it's a lot more expensive. (Since when has that ever stopped me? ) Diamine Sapphire Blue is not bad. Iroshizuku Ajisai is the closest thing they have to a sapphire, but I find it to be less vibrant and also prone to bleed-through, even on better paper.

[Chrissy]

I also have Diamine Sapphire Blue, and I find it quite staining. Before I bought my latest bottle of Parker Penman Sapphire I used to mix it with Diamine Majestic Blue for a reasonable alternative to PPS.

[Nibbler]

Thank you for this review - good job!

 

I don't have loads of inks - well 13 - but I do have this and I really like it - especially on Lechtturm paper for some reason.

[Frank C]

Thanks for another post. I can vicariously sort through my ink cabinet by reading your reviews. I tend to agree with the above posts. I like this color, but there are so many other blues out there I like better; it rarely gets used.

[VivienR]

Eclat de Saphir was my first worth mentioning blue ink, I really liked it after Parker Quink Blue. Still like it, its wonderful with my medium Duofold nib.

[PDW]

I recently bought a pack of cartridges in Paris in a very ordinary stationery shop.

 

From my experience, in a dry pen the colour is washed out and uninteresting, but in a wetter pen like my fine-nibbed Diplomat Balance C a very pleasing colour comes through even via its very fine nib.

Edited June 14, 2015 by PDW

[bone215]

Nice review.

 

I recently picked up a bottle and like its color.

I wasn't sure about what the title of the ink meant and thought it French so I used google translate which gave me "burst of sapphire".

[Frank C]

Nice review.

 

I recently picked up a bottle and like its color.

I wasn't sure about what the title of the ink meant and thought it French so I used google translate which gave me "burst of sapphire".

 

I always thought that it was the past-tense of some French pastry. Two years of college French down the drain.

[Sh.Andrews]

Lubrication is better than Good. I have a lot of blues and am always amazed at this one - excellent characteristics - no complaints. Wish J. Herbin would expand their palette.