Ink Review: Diamine Lapis Blue

[Chrissy]

Today I’m reviewing an ink made by Diamine specially for the Philippine market. It is called Diamine Lapis Blue

I remember this ink being mentioned on FPN some time ago, and I really wanted to try it out so I begged for a small sample from Diamine. I know that many of use won’t be able to get a full sized bottle of it, but if you get an opportunity to sample it, at least you will know what it’s like.

This is a very saturated ink, think Majestic Blue and Sargasso Sea type of saturation. It shows lots of shading. The chroma test showed a faint bit of lilac dye but no red, so it’s a little different to those blues that lean towards the red edge of the colour spectrum. When I wrote with it, it does suggest that it has a very slight lean towards red though.

I experienced no problems at all while I was writing with it. It had a smooth flow with a lubricated line. I saw no skips or hard starts, and it didn't dry out on the nib while I was doing swab tests.

For me it was a very well-behaved ink, as well as being a nice colour. It only exhibited show through on Field Notes paper, but so do most inks.

When I got it on my fingers it looked so saturated that I thought it would be a staining ink, but I can confirm it washed off easily with bar soap and warm water. I’m surprised how many inks that don’t wash off with liquid soap, wash off with bar soap.

This ink isn't sold as water resistant, and there was hardly any water resistance.

• This isn't sold as a waterproof ink, and shows little water resistance.
• Bearing in mind the review form paper I use is thick with a shiny surface at 100gsm, and I used several different nibs, this ink took 15-16 secs secs to dry using the Montblanc F nib.
• No smear after dry.
• It exhibited good flow and I found it smooth to write with. I saw no skips or hard starts while I did swabs and dry time tests.

[bobje]

Wow, Chrissy! What a great looking blue and a terrific comparison with other Diamine blues. Maybe similar to Diamine Oxford Blue?

[inkstainedruth]

Wow, Chrissy! What a great looking blue and a terrific comparison with other Diamine blues. Maybe similar to Diamine Oxford Blue?

 

I was thinking the same thing, but this looks a little brighter blue than Oxford Blue. Too bad that this is for a limited market -- it might just have dethroned Oxford as my favorite blue ink.

Thanks for the review -- and not....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Chrissy]

Wow, Chrissy! What a great looking blue and a terrific comparison with other Diamine blues. Maybe similar to Diamine Oxford Blue?

 

It's brighter than Oxford Blue, and a bit lighter. Maybe in between Sargasso Sea and Oxford Blue?

 

Here are some more blue swab tests that I did, but I didn't compare Majestic Blue and Sargasso Sea here. I can add those though.:

 

[Chrissy]

 

I was thinking the same thing, but this looks a little brighter blue than Oxford Blue. Too bad that this is for a limited market -- it might just have dethroned Oxford as my favorite blue ink.

Thanks for the review -- and not....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

Yes it's a brighter blue than Oxford Blue. I'll do chroma tests of both and show you the differences.

[Chrissy]

Here are chroma tests showing the differences between Lapis and Oxford Blue. There's also an ink blot showing Lapis Blue:

 

[Pravda]

Just ordered from Diamine a few inks this morning, this was not in their list. Is it discontinued?

[white_lotus]

It is exclusive to the Philippine market as Chrissy said.

[Barkingpig]

Lapis Blue is not discontinued by Diamine; it is made as an exclusive ink for the Philippine Market. Diamine makes two inks, Lapis Blue & Dark Olive, both sold 0nly in the Philippines.

 

After I read post by member "antichresis, on December 16, 2016, I contacted the 1st source he mentioned for these inks, "everythingcalligraphy.com." & after being offered a choice of three shipping costs, received my bottles without issue.

 

(An earlier post about these inks, suggested they "were/or had become" part of the Diamine line of inks available from their website. I doubt this is correct; I saw no mention of their possible availability from Diamine site, so I used the information above.)

[OPG4711]

Just checked everythingcalligraphy.com and Lapis Blue is Sold Out. Dammit!

[Barkingpig]

I would not give up hope; since the man, Peter Bngayan, who suggested these inks to Diamine for manufacture is the Diamine Distributor for the Philippines' Market. perhaps they receive prompt replacement. Just a thought, I hate to see expectations of a new ink be dashed by reality! I realise "reality has it's place," BUT so does our desire for a new ink!

 

I will also say the persons @ Everything Calligraphy were VERY helpful to me; perhaps they would let you know when they ink came in?

[amberleadavis]

Great stuff. Thank you!

[Chrissy]

Great stuff. Thank you!

 

You're welcome

[Chrissy]

Lapis Blue is not discontinued by Diamine; it is made as an exclusive ink for the Philippine Market. Diamine makes two inks, Lapis Blue & Dark Olive, both sold 0nly in the Philippines.

 

After I read post by member "antichresis, on December 16, 2016, I contacted the 1st source he mentioned for these inks, "everythingcalligraphy.com." & after being offered a choice of three shipping costs, received my bottles without issue.

 

(An earlier post about these inks, suggested they "were/or had become" part of the Diamine line of inks available from their website. I doubt this is correct; I saw no mention of their possible availability from Diamine site, so I used the information above.)

Yes, this is correct. They are both made for the Philippine market, and aren't included in the inks available on the Diamine web-site. It's a shame but there it is. I have a small sample of Dark Olive to review and I will get to that soon.

[jmccarty3]

I sent an email to Everything Calligraphy several weeks ago inquiring about shipping the Dark Olive to the US, but never received a reply.

[Manalto]

Nice, soothing, indigo ink. Another Diamine winner.

[Tintentod]

Very informative...where did you get the ink review form?

[swanjun]

I sent an email to Everything Calligraphy several weeks ago inquiring about shipping the Dark Olive to the US, but never received a reply.

 

I emailed a few days ago and haven't heard anything, either.

[jmccarty3]

 

I emailed a few days ago and haven't heard anything, either.

 

I eventually did hear from them, and they promptly shipped my order for the two Diamine inks. The shipping costs more than the inks, but they are beautiful and well worth it. Be patient and they will probably get back to you.

[Morbus Curiositas]

Very nice review of a very nice ink by Diamine .

 

De Atramentis has a Lapis too how abour swapping samples and publishing a comparison?