Pelikan Edelstein Ruby Ink is one of the original Pelikan Edelstein ink colors when Pelikan’s premium line of ink was released about 8 years ago. Since then there have been some fantastic limited edition “ink of the year” colors such as Smoky Quartz, Amber, Garnet, Amethyst and Aquamarine. We are anxiously awaiting this years Pelikan Edelstein ink of the year, Olivine, which will be released later this year. However, sometimes its important to review and look at colors that we may have forgotten about, when we are anticipating the newest or latest and greatest products on the market. Ink is no exception.
Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink is different and unique, compared to most red inks. It is what one might expect a “ruby” ink to be. Being a Pelikan Edelstein ink color, Ruby has all of Pelikan’s wonderful qualities such as smooth writing characteristic, easy on fountain pens, easy to clean, etc. The color is what sets this ink apart. Most red inks are either a bright and vibrant fire engine red or a dark deep red color. However, Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink is a soft red color that doesn’t pop out as most reds. Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink is an inviting, light red with a pink hue that produces a lot of shading and color variation.
Continuing reading for a chance to win the bottle of Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink we used for this review.
While testing Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink we found the following traits that you may find helpful when picking up your next red ink:
Testing Factors
For this review we used a French made J. Herbin glass spiral dip pen, which has a tip that is equivalent to a fine fountain pen nib on Rhodia dot pad paper. Other types of paper may produce different results.
Bottle Sizes
All of Pelikan Edelstein inks come in a fantastic 50 ml. glass bottle that is a display quality ink well. It’s a weighted heavy smooth glass bottle with a large faceted lid that allows easy access and the ability to be placed on its side to gather those last few drops. This alluring bottle truly represents the the quality ink it holds and is one of our favorite designs.
Cost
Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink is on the mid to high price range for fountain pen inks. The Edelstein inks retail for just under $30 at $28.00. The price although at the upper end of the mid price inks it is worth every cent due to the quality, bottle presentation and color you get in return.
Dry Time
We found a quick dry time of approximately 4-5 seconds during our review of Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink. This allows the ink to be used as an everyday ink and popular with left hand users. These results were using a glass dip pen on Rhodia paper, and other tips, nibs, and paper may produce longer dry times.
Bleed Through
We found no bleeding at all using Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink on Rhodia dot pad paper, even during the cotton swab and water tests we conducted.
Feathering
During normal use, we found absolutely no feathering on Rhodia paper. Even during the water test only a very slight amount of feathering was detected and only at the wettest point of the test.
Water Test
We conducted a water test, where we ran a wet cotton swab over a dried ink sample of Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink. This test produced some light color smearing, slight feathering and line distortion, but held up better than most non-waterproof inks we have tested.
Shading
One of the best characteristics of Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink is that it has some fantastic shading. The soft red color can be darker with a heavy hand or wet nib and a light pink color when less ink is applied as well as all variations in between.
Conclusion about the Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink
Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink is a must have in the red category of inks due to its unique color. Like all Pelikan Edelstein inks Ruby comes with all the same great characteristics. It is reasonably priced for a premium imported German ink, has great dry time and is a unique “soft” color. Everyone needs a fire engine red color in their ink collection and although Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink doesn’t fill this category, it is such a unique shade of red. You will love its color for notes, journals, editing or other red ink uses. Happy writing in 2018!
Enter to Win
Enter to win the actual bottle of Pelikan Edelstein Ruby ink that we used in this ink review:
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Fantastic looking ink.
More than anything, I’m looking forward to the Olivine ink of the year, and the matching pen.
Caran d’Ache infrared still stands as my favorite ink both in presentation and color, but this is a nice red I’d love to add to my desk.
One can ever have enough red ink!
Not a big fan of red ink, but this one is nice.
Beautiful color ink
I love the Edelstein inks and their bottles. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
The orange sheen is interesting on this red
My favorite ink is Iroshizuku Kon-peki, which is loved by so many people. I’m planning on getting some limited edition Japanese inks soon, so maybe my ink collection can be more diverse.
Lovely ink!
Beautiful rich red color!
I like the fact that the red in this ink is subtle and being an Edelstein ink the quality is a given. I don’t use much red ink but this one looks worth using.
Oh! I like this one! Very pretty red
Another gorgeous color
This could be a good everyday red. Easy on the eyes and liking like teacher correcting red either.
I fell in love with red inks when I discovered the Fp world. My favorite so far I diamine red dragon
This ink looks a little washed-out but the bottle is lovely.
Private Reserve Avocado
This would look good coming out of a Kaweco Cotton Candy Perkeo.
This is such a pretty looking red. I will eventually have to have it.
This looks like a really nice ink. I really don’t have any reds, so it would be fun to win! Thanks for the chance! I was wondering if you guys would ever review or carry De Atramentis inks?
Yes, we have the De Atramentis coming soon…
I like the softness of the red… Much less on the eyes than some of the other reds I have. Maybe next time review a Monteverde?
Nice shade of red.
Oooh! This looks fun!
I would be interested in learning about some of the Indian inks that are starting to come into USA.
We have several new brands of inks on the way including one ink brand from India, Krishna.
I love these inks ! Such a wonderful red !!
My favorite ink today is Kobe Taisanji Yellow
How about some Colorverse inks?
What an amazing color!! LOVE IT!
I have never tried Edelstein ink and am remiss. I’m intrigued by this color. I LOVE red inks but all of mine are blood red or bright red. This is an interesting color. It isn’t pastel by any nature but it’s just not got that je ne sais quoi. . .so I am intrigued.
I’m looking forward to your review of the Krishna brand.
We should have some reviews coming on the Krishna inks in a couple weeks.
I would like to see a review of Sailor Sky High.
One of the few Edelsteins I don’t have! Lovely!
Another grear giveaway… thanks for choosing a popular color!
Looks fantastic!
Ah! Lovely color! Thanks for another lovely giveaway!
Write like my blood!!
Great review on this Edelstein. I’ve only tried one Edelstein ink, Sapphire. The red I like at the moment is the Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Red. Thanks for this chance.
Great color
Lovely colour!! I Love reviews on any purple inks. God Bless & Love You Bunches!!!
Beautiful red.
Not my favorite shade of red but still a beautiful color.
I love reading ink reviews. So many colours so little time. Sigh.
It’s a nice red
I just got a sample of this ink and really like it!
please! need!
One of my favorites is ancient copper