When it comes to fountain pen ink, there are hundreds of options, ranging from classic colors to shimmer-filled showstoppers. But among the most magical are inks with sheen, that eye-catching, metallic finish that appears when ink dries under the right conditions. Not every ink has this quality, but there are some incredible sheeners across various brands.
That’s where this guide comes in! I tested and ranked 12 of the heaviest sheening inks available at Goulet Pens, using a dip pen setup specifically chosen to bring out their full shimmering potential.
What is Sheen?
Sheen is the shiny, often metallic layer that appears on certain fountain pen inks once dried. It’s typically a contrasting color, think blue ink with a red shine, and shows up most dramatically under the right lighting and angles.
But what’s happening here? Thin-film interference is the science behind the magic. It's the same principle that gives oil puddles on pavement their rainbow look. When a thick layer of ink dries on paper with high ink resistance, the light reflecting and refracting off the surface interacts, creating that beautiful sheen effect. While the exact chemistry behind why some dyes sheen more than others is a bit beyond us, our eyes, and our pens, know a good thing when they see it.
Jacques Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor
Jacques Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor is a deep teal ink packed with layers of character. Emerald of Chivor offers a stunning red sheen layered over rich blue-green tones, with a subtle dusting of gold shimmer. It’s a heavy saturator, so it loves high-quality, ink-resistant papers like Tomoe River. Expect a slightly longer dry time, but once dry, it’s a visual masterpiece.
Diamine Polar Glow
Diamine Polar Glow fountain pen ink starts as a vibrant sapphire blue but quickly shows off a bold, almost electric green sheen. It’s a wet writer’s dream, flowing easily and rewarding broad nibs with major drama. On coated paper, it almost looks like you’re writing with liquid aurora borealis.
Colorverse Quasar
One of Colorverse’s sheen monsters, Quasar gives a highly saturated, medium-dark blue that explodes into heavy red sheen. It feels buttery smooth when writing and can pool for extra impact. This ink thrives when left slightly wet, so let it dry naturally to get the full cosmic effect.
Endless Alchemy Candy Sea
Endless Alchemy Candy Sea & Toffee fountain pen ink is a lively turquoise base ink with generous pink-red sheen layered across it. It's less temperamental than some heavy sheeners, offering a balance between vivid base color and high sheen without overwhelming the page. Slightly faster drying than most "super sheeners," it’s perfect for playful journaling.
LAMY azurite
LAMY azurite is stately dark blue fountain pen ink that whispers rather than shouts. It delivers a muted red sheen that's more sophisticated than flashy. It handles cleanly on good paper with moderate dry times, making it a solid choice for writing that you want to look professional, but still bold.
Diamine Winter Spice
Diamine Winter Spice fountain pen ink is a cozy, reddish-brown ink loaded with green and red sheen, like a mug of mulled wine reflecting Christmas lights. It lays down rich and dark, and the sheen develops beautifully as the ink pools. Expect medium to longer dry times, but the visual payoff is absolutely worth it.
Wearingeul Valley of Fear
Wearingeul Valley of Fear fountain pen ink is a dark mystery in a bottle. This a near-black navy shade features some intense red sheen that emerges heavily under bright lighting. It behaves a bit like a shading ink if used lightly, but the more ink you lay down, the more dramatic the sheen becomes. A scary good choice for dramatic letters and journals.
Robert Oster River of Fire
Robert Oster River of Fire is dark, forest green fountain pen ink with robust red sheen that looks like embers glowing beneath moss. River of Fire flows slightly drier than some others here, making it manageable even in everyday writing without sacrificing its heavy sheen personality. It’s complex and atmospheric, great for those who love earthy inks with a twist.
LAMY dark lilac
The LAMY dark lilac fountain ink is legendary. This rich purple shade is complemented with powerful green-gold sheen. It has a velvety flow and excellent saturation, and while it’s highly sought after by collectors, it also delivers top-notch writing performance. It dries a little faster than most super sheeners but still brings maximum flair.
Organics Studio Henry David Thoreau Walden Pond
Bright, almost neon aqua with a loud, vivid red sheen, Organics Studio Henry David Thoreau Walden Pond can overwhelm lighter papers easily, but on Tomoe River, it shows the full explosion of color. It’s a heavy, wet writer with long dry times, but the end result looks like something out of a fantasy novel.
Organics Studio Ralph Waldo Emerson Twilight Blue
Organics Studio Ralph Waldo Emerson Twilight Blue is a deeply saturated blue-black fountain pen ink that surprises with intense red sheen under the right lighting. Emerson behaves slightly wetter than average and can ghost on thinner papers, but it rewards patient writers with a regal, moody finish. It's like Victorian elegance bottled up.
Organics Studio Nitrogen
Organics Studio Nitrogen is an absolute heavy-hitter for sheen. Nitrogen starts as an inky blue but reflects so much vivid red that you’ll forget the base color. It’s extremely saturated and behaves like a true super-sheener, needing heavy, ink-resistant paper and plenty of dry time. When you want sheen so intense it looks surreal, Nitrogen is your champion.
Whether you're new to the world of sheening inks or you're already deep down the rabbit hole, these 12 inks are some of the heaviest sheeners you can get your hands on. With a good paper like Tomoe River and the right setup, you’ll be amazed at what your fountain pen can produce! Write on!
