Monteverde Fireopal (Gemstone Collection)

[visvamitra]

Monteverde is part of Yafa company. Some time ago the company offered wide array of new inks with Ink ITF™ - new Ink Treatment Formula that's supposed to drastically improve ink-flow quality, extend cap-off time and improve ink drying time on paper. After trying two inks I can agree it's not just marketing - the inks behave very well.

New colors are divided into two series. The newest one is called GEMSTONES.

I admit I have a problem with this name as Pelikan started their Gemstone collection (Edelstein inks) years ago and was succesfull. I do realise that this name can't be copyrighted but I feel something's off. Sure, it's easy to base marketing on proven and succesfull ideas but I feel just a little bit of disapproval. I believe they could have created something new, especially that the colors are rather interesting and eye-catching.

Anyway the line has inks

1. Amethyst
2. Charoite
3. Erinite
4. Fireopal
5. Garnet
6. Moonstone
7. Olivine
8. Ruby
9. Sapphire
10. Topaz

I appreciate the fact that Monteverde posted on their website data about these inks ph:

Bottle

The inks can be bought in 30 (and 90) ml bottle. The bottle is made of lass, has simple design and id pretty functional - stable and with wide neck allowing to fill quite comfortably (as long as there's more than 60 % of the ink content in it) even monster fountain pens straight from the bottle.

Ink

Fireopal rocks. Just look at it. It's formidable and the shading is sensational. It's one of nicest inks I used in a long time. It behaves rather well however when used in broader and wetter nibs it will cause feathering on low quality copy paper. The flow is excellent. So is the lubrication. There's no useful water resistance to it.

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

Color ID

Color range

Discovery 70 mgsm copy paper, Kaweco Classic Sport, broad nib

Leuchtturm1917, Kaweco Classic Spoert, broad nib

No name copy paper, Kaweco Classic Sport, broad nib

Midori, Kaweco Classic Sport, broad nib

Rhodia, Kaweco Sport, broad nib

Water resistance

[lgsoltek]

Nice colour! Vis, what do you say about the wetness and lubrication of these Monteverde inks compared to, like, Sailor, KWZI, Blackstone, etc.?

[visvamitra]

They're on par with Sailor. They really feel amazing in the pen.

[Nero]

This color remembered me of the old Sailor Red-Brown ink.

[dannystr78]

Thanks Vis. This was already on my list, and it looks even more amazing in your review. Glad to read your thumbs up.

[lgsoltek]

They're on par with Sailor. They really feel amazing in the pen.

That is so NOT good to hear. It means I have to get some now!

[visvamitra]

You have no choice.

[Tas]

Looks like a better shading Ancient Copper. LOVE it.

Thank you.

Will now pay attention to the rest of the range

[vojtahlad]

Great colour. Thank you for the review.

[DrDebG]

Great review as always. This isn't a shade that I use a lot though.

[KellyMcJ]

That's really beautiful!!!!

 

I doubt they were thinking of Pelikan when they decided to do gemstones since Monteverde's "thing" seems to be mountains...and aren't they the one that do the Giant Sequoia pens?

[Honeybadgers]

Does this ink have that weird "greasy" sensation that Emerald Green has?

 

I've been hesitant to buy another ITF monteverde ink because the emerald green has this really weird, almost oily sensation when you're writing with it, going from almost invisible to heavily pooled. I like emerald green's color but it's just an unpleasant ink to write with, so that bottle is probably never going to be used.

[visvamitra]

Yes, it does. I enjoy the sensation a lot though.

[jmccarty3]

I love this ink, and the price is very reasonable.

[Cyber6]

I got my FireOpal.. I wanted to also get Topaz.. hopefully you have Topaz, I will love to see a review of it.

 

 

C.

[visvamitra]

I don't. I'm interested in Ruby and maybe Sapphire so I guess, I'll soon get them.

[PartiZAn18]

Wonderful review as always Vis, and a spectacular colour indeed. I agree wholeheartedly with you about the gemstone/edelstein thing, I immediately though to myself "what the deuce?". Anyways, as I don't have a *red* red ink yet (closest is MB Da Vinci Red Chalk), I shall definitely keep an eye on this stunner.

[DipIt]

I just received this (fire opal) along with the Charoite. Both are spectacular and the problem is deciding which to use. They flow very well, dry promptly and just look marvelous on a variety of paper. The 90ml bottle is very reasonably priced.

[mmg122]

Thanks for the review, Vis. This is one of my favorites...I am a big fan of the new Monteverde inks and I also enjoy how they behave. I pretty much like all the colors in this series.

[bobje]

The new Monteverde inks seem to be great performers.