Inktend / Ink library / Edelstein Star Ruby
Pelikan
Edelstein Star Ruby
Pelikan's Edelstein line names each ink after a gemstone, alongside the long-running budget-friendly 4001 series.
Specs
About Pelikan
Founded in Hannover in 1838, Pelikan is one of the oldest writing brands still operating, known for its striped Souverän pens and the differential-pressure piston filler it patented in 1929.
Paper & pairing notes
Reds and pinks show the most dramatic shading of any color family — expect real variation between the edges and center of each letter. Sheening inks need the right conditions to show off — a wetter nib and a coated, less-absorbent paper (Tomoe River and similar sheets are the community standard) let the ink pool slightly and separate into its second color as it dries. On cheaper, more absorbent paper the sheen effect will mostly disappear.
Storing and using the bottle
Bottled fountain pen ink has an effectively long shelf life when kept capped and out of direct sunlight — most inks remain usable for years. The main risk isn't the ink spoiling, it's a pen sitting inked and unused for weeks: that's what causes clogs, not the ink's age.
Frequently asked questions
Similar shades
Color shown is a close digital approximation of a typical swatch, not a calibrated color match.