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I have always loved and used Herbin Rouille D'Ancre, which, for all its quirks (listed elsewhere) I find to be a unique "Gentleman's Pink". . . . . until I discovered a near doppelganger which, ulp, might be an improvement on the original (although similarly loathed by reviewers on here!). . . . . and then yesterday a third, although this one tends a bit more "rust" . . . . which might also make it the salmon/coral that I have been searching for but not yet found? Still in the heady days of first love here, so I'll report back with clearer spectacles as the roses fall off, but here's a first sample: Another arrangement: I didn't label them as a kind of a quiz! One is the French original, one is from Japan (ergo costly as a US import), and one is from Germany - but which is which? (I'd be happy to tell, if anyone is interested!)

I'm new to this ink, but it was exciting enough that I decided to write a mini review for it. Sorry for my crooked writing--I've been practicing a proper grip, which makes me write in chickenscratch J. Herbin - Rouille D'Ancre is an interesting ink. It's pink? No it's coral. No it's peachy faded red? Wait, let me turn on the table lamp, it looks different again... Yes, it's difficult to categorize. I honestly thought I would be getting a cross between true rose gold and Apple kind of anodized aluminum rose gold, but it's neither. It's always legible and not pale, unless you have a super dry writer. The color makes me happy for some reason, and I want to keep writing with this ink. I personally think it looks best with a pen that gives you some line and flow variation, like a stub nib, a vintage pen, or some kind of flexy nib. In my case, I decided to use it with a great FPR Himalaya that is equipped with an ebonite feed and "ultra flex" steel nib. Drying time is really good. Unless you're leaving globs of ink left and right, it dries very quickly. 10-15 seconds. The appearance on the page is matte. If you use a wet writer, there is some dark edging / outlining effect. The ink has some greenish-cyan components and more yellow-brown components, as can be seen on the paper towel droplet spread and water brush tests. I think the outlining effect is also enhanced due to this turquoise component. No feathering observed on typical fountain-pen-friendly paper, though my newly obtained HP Premium Choice 32lb 100-brightness paper did feather with this ink and J. Herbin Vert Empire. I've tried my best to represent my ink properly, though due to the readily color-shifting property of it, that was was not an easy task. Next to PenBBS "Rose Quartz" ink: (PenBBS Rose Quartz on the top right): Scan (not accurate for Rose Quartz--the photograph above is accurate):

I found a stash of old reviews that got misplaced during a house move, so this one's a bit old. Rouille D'ancre is one of my favorite "not for everyday use" inks. It's a bit dry when writing, but this color is completely unique. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/93tSKo.jpg

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0702-2.jpg http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0702.jpg http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0702-3.jpg http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0704.jpg http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0702-Edit.jpg Zebra G nib on Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton paper http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/chromatography%20rouille%20dancre.jpg http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/chromatography%20terre%20de%20feu.jpg Chromatography for Rouille d'Ancre (top) and J. Herbin Terre de Feu (bottom) This is a strange ink that few people will find use for. I bought a bottle, then discovered how very close in hue to Terre de Feu it really is. In fact, when washed with water they are exactly the same shade, though Terre de Feu is more saturated. I will probably just use this for calligraphy on the rare occasion I need a dusty pink. Or maybe it will be good for painting washes at full strength. Please ignore the first sentence of paragraph 3. I am finding it almost impossible to clean the last of the dark brown ink I last had in my Conklin. Care was taken to ensure color accuracy.