Best Shimmer & Sheen Inks for Fountain Pens
If you've ever wanted your handwriting to literally sparkle or flash a surprise second color under the right light, shimmer and sheen inks are for you. These specialty fountain pen inks transform ordinary writing into something extraordinary — whether it's the glittering particles suspended in a shimmer ink or the vivid color shift of a high-sheen formula. In this guide, we'll break down the difference between shimmer and sheen, recommend the best inks in each category, and share practical tips for getting the most out of these eye-catching inks.
Shimmer vs. Sheen: What's the Difference?
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, shimmer and sheen are fundamentally different phenomena. Understanding the distinction will help you pick the right ink for the effect you want.
Shimmer inks contain fine metallic or mica particles physically suspended in the ink. These particles settle on the surface of the paper and catch light from any angle, creating a glittery, sparkling effect. The shimmer is visible regardless of viewing angle and is most dramatic with gold, silver, or colored particles against a contrasting base color. Think of it as glitter embedded in your writing.
Sheen is an optical property of the dye itself — no particles are involved. When a highly saturated dye-based ink pools on smooth paper, the excess dye on the surface reflects a second color that contrasts with the base. For example, a dark blue ink might sheen a vivid red or copper. Sheen is angle-dependent (you need to tilt the paper to catch it) and requires smooth, non-absorbent paper to appear. It's a natural byproduct of dye concentration, not an additive.
Best Shimmer Inks
Shimmer inks have exploded in popularity over the past decade. Here are some of the best shimmer fountain pen inks available today, each offering a unique combination of base color and particle type.
Diamine Enchanted Ocean
A deep teal-blue base loaded with golden shimmer particles that create a stunning contrast. Enchanted Ocean is one of Diamine's most beloved Shimmertastic inks — the gold glitter against the dark oceanic blue evokes a night sky reflected on water. It flows well for a shimmer ink and is reasonably priced.
Diamine Golden Sands
A warm, honey-gold ink packed with matching gold shimmer. Golden Sands is unique because the shimmer particles blend harmoniously with the base color rather than contrasting against it, creating a molten gold look on the page. It's particularly popular for addressing envelopes, holiday cards, and calligraphic work.
Diamine Arctic Blue
A bright, icy blue base with silver shimmer particles. Arctic Blue captures the feeling of a frozen winter sky — the cool blue tone paired with silver glitter gives your writing an ethereal, frosty quality. It's one of the more readable shimmer inks thanks to its lighter, more saturated base.
J. Herbin 1670 Anniversary (Rouge Hematite)
The ink that started the modern shimmer ink craze. Rouge Hematite is a deep, rich crimson with gold particles that was released to celebrate J. Herbin's 340th anniversary. The gold shimmer against the dark red base is dramatic and luxurious. The 1670 line has since expanded to include other colors like Emerald of Chivor (green with gold) and Bleu Ocean (blue with gold).
Robert Oster Fire & Ice
A complex blue ink with copper-red shimmer particles that create a dualistic fire-and-ice effect on the page. The interplay between the cool blue base and warm metallic particles makes this ink endlessly interesting to look at. Robert Oster inks are known for smooth flow, and Fire & Ice is no exception.
Colorverse Supernova
A deep indigo-purple base with mixed gold and silver shimmer particles that truly live up to the cosmic name. Colorverse inks are inspired by the universe, and Supernova captures the explosive brilliance of a dying star. The purple base provides excellent contrast for the metallic particles, making every stroke feel celestial.
Best Sheening Inks
Sheen inks produce their magic through dye chemistry rather than particles. The right combination of paper, pen wetness, and ink saturation can produce a breathtaking color shift. Here are the best sheening inks to try.
Organics Studio Nitrogen
The undisputed king of sheen inks. Nitrogen is a saturated dark blue that produces an intense, almost unbelievable red-copper sheen. On Tomoe River paper with a wet pen, the sheen is so vivid it can dominate the base color. Be warned — Nitrogen is extremely saturated, which means it can be hard to clean and may stain some materials. But for sheen chasers, nothing else comes close.
Sailor Yama-dori
A gorgeous teal-blue from Sailor's Four Seasons line that sheens a rich magenta-red. Yama-dori (meaning "copper pheasant") is more practical than Nitrogen for everyday use — it's well-behaved, flows smoothly, and produces noticeable sheen even on moderately smooth paper. The teal-to-magenta color shift is one of the most beautiful in the hobby.
Diamine Majestic Blue
A rich, saturated blue that produces a dramatic red sheen, especially on smooth paper. Majestic Blue is a fantastic entry point for sheen inks because Diamine inks are affordable and widely available. The sheen can be intense on Tomoe River paper but remains well-mannered on standard notebook paper. It's an excellent everyday blue that happens to have a stunning party trick.
Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki
A beloved cerulean blue that, while not marketed as a sheening ink, produces a subtle but lovely red sheen on the right paper. Kon-peki is one of the most popular fountain pen inks in the world for good reason — it's perfectly behaved, has beautiful color, and the occasional sheen is a delightful bonus. Ideal for those who want a professional ink that can surprise you.
Diamine Oxblood
A dark, brooding red-brown that sheens a subtle green — a less common sheen color that makes Oxblood stand out from the blue-inks-sheening-red crowd. The green sheen is most visible on pooled areas with smooth paper. Even without the sheen, Oxblood is a gorgeous, distinguished ink that works well for everyday writing and signatures.
Tips for Using Shimmer & Sheen Inks
Paper Compatibility
Paper makes an enormous difference with both shimmer and sheen inks. Smooth, non-absorbent paper is essential for seeing the full effect. Tomoe River paper is the gold standard for sheen — its ultra-smooth surface allows excess dye to pool and reflect that second color beautifully. Other fountain-pen-friendly papers like Graphilo, Cosmo Air Light, Rhodia, and Clairefontaine also work well. On absorbent paper like standard copy paper, shimmer particles will still be visible but sheen will largely disappear as the dye is absorbed into the fibers.
Nib Width Matters
For both shimmer and sheen, medium and broad nibs produce the best results. Broader nibs lay down more ink, which means more shimmer particles on the page and a thicker layer of dye for sheen to develop. Fine and extra-fine nibs can actually filter out shimmer particles before they reach the paper, and they deposit too little ink for sheen to form. If you're investing in shimmer or sheen inks specifically for their visual effects, use at least a medium nib.
Cleaning Your Pen
Shimmer inks require more attention to pen maintenance. The metallic particles can settle in the feed and converter if the pen sits unused for too long. Give the pen a gentle shake before each use to re-suspend the particles, and flush the pen thoroughly with water when changing inks. Sheen inks, by contrast, are standard dye inks and don't require any special cleaning beyond what you'd normally do — though heavily saturated sheen inks like Organics Studio Nitrogen may take a few extra flushes to fully clear.
Tip: Consider dedicating a specific pen to your shimmer inks. This way, you don't need to worry about particles lingering in the feed after cleaning, and you can keep the pen inked and ready to go. Piston-fill and converter pens with wet, broad nibs are ideal — the TWSBI Eco with a broad nib is a popular and affordable choice for shimmer inks.
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