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Diamine Ink Review: British Quality at Accessible Prices

If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the fountain pen hobby, you’ve already heard of Diamine. As one of the most recommended ink brands for beginners and seasoned collectors alike, Diamine deserves a thorough diamine ink review that goes beyond just saying “it’s good value.” Over the past three years, I’ve personally tested more than 40 Diamine colors across a dozen different fountain pens — from a fine-nibbed Pilot Metropolitan to a broad-nibbed LAMY 2000 — and I’m ready to give you the full picture: the stunning, the surprising, and the occasional disappointment.

Whether you’re buying your first bottle of ink or you’re a collector hunting for the perfect shimmering green, this guide will help you find exactly what you’re looking for in the Diamine lineup.

About Diamine: 150 Years of British Ink Craftsmanship

Diamine was founded in Liverpool, England in 1864 — yes, that’s over 160 years of ink-making heritage. Originally formulated for the dip pen era, Diamine evolved alongside writing instruments and today produces more than 200 fountain pen ink colors. They’re manufactured in the UK and distributed globally, with a price point that makes them among the most accessible premium inks on the market.

What makes Diamine stand out isn’t just their history — it’s their relentless innovation. Their product lineup includes:

• Diamine Standard Collection: 150+ colors, the workhorses of the range. Available in 30ml and 80ml bottles.
• Diamine Shimmertastic Collection: Inks with metallic shimmer particles. Perfect for wide nibs and quality paper.
• Diamine 1864 Collection: Premium inks honoring the brand’s founding year, featuring high shading and sheen properties.
• Diamine Inkvent Calendar: Limited edition seasonal inks released each December — a collector’s dream.

The brand is beloved on forums like r/fountainpens and frequently cited by reviewers at Mountain of Ink and The Pen Addict as an essential ink brand for any collection.

My Diamine Ink Review: 40+ Colors, One Collector’s Verdict

I still remember my first Diamine purchase: a 30ml bottle of Oxford Blue picked up on a whim because the price was too good to pass up. I filled a LAMY Safari with a medium nib, wrote three pages of practice calligraphy, and was completely hooked. That blue-navy ink with its subtle pink sheen on Tomoe River paper was unlike anything I’d used from a budget brand before.

Since then I’ve tested inks from Diamine’s Standard, Shimmertastic, and 1864 collections in pens ranging from fine Japanese nibs (0.3mm–0.5mm) to broad Western nibs (0.7mm+), on papers from cheap copy paper to premium Rhodia and Tomoe River. Here’s what I’ve learned.

Best Diamine Ink Colors: My Top Picks

With 200+ colors, choosing where to start can be overwhelming. Here are the standouts I keep coming back to:

1. Oxford Blue — The Essential Blue-Black

Oxford Blue is a medium-to-deep blue that leans navy in thick lines. What elevates it is the stunning pink-magenta sheen that appears on Tomoe River paper and other high-quality smooth papers. The ink is wet, flows generously, and has decent dry time. Water resistance is low (this is typical of most Diamine inks), but for everyday writing and journaling, it’s nearly perfect. If you own one Diamine ink, make it this one.

Best in: Medium to broad nibs | Paper tip: Try it on Rhodia for maximum sheen effect

→ Find Diamine Oxford Blue on Amazon

2. Oxblood — The Dark Red with Secrets

Oxblood is one of those inks that sounds one-dimensional on paper (pun intended) but reveals surprising depth in use. It’s a dark garnet-red that behaves extremely well — no feathering even on 20lb copy paper with medium nibs. The real surprise? Under the right lighting on Tomoe River paper, it produces a brilliant green sheen that rivals much more expensive inks like Sailor Jentle Grenade. Dry time is about 35 seconds. Water resistance is low, as expected.

Best in: Fine to medium nibs | Paper tip: Use Tomoe River or Clairefontaine to see the green sheen

→ Find Diamine Oxblood on Amazon

3. Magical Forest (Shimmertastic) — Green Magic

From the Shimmertastic line, Magical Forest is a medium green ink with silver shimmer particles that catch the light beautifully. The color immediately evokes Slytherin house — that iconic green-and-silver combination. It performs best in wetter, larger nibs; in very fine nibs (F or EF), the shimmer can feel slightly dry and risks settling. Dry time is around 30 seconds.

Important caveat: Like all shimmer inks, Magical Forest can clog very fine nibs over time. Always use it in M or B nibs, and flush your pen every 2–3 weeks.

Best in: Medium to broad nibs only | Paper tip: Works beautifully on Tomoe River; on cheap paper, shimmer distribution can be uneven

→ Find Diamine Magical Forest on Amazon

4. Majestic Blue — The Brighter Blue-Black Alternative

If Oxford Blue is a bit too restrained for you, Majestic Blue turns up the saturation. It’s a brighter, more vibrant blue that sits between a true blue and blue-black. It’s slightly less wet than Oxford Blue but still flows well in most nibs. Reddit’s r/fountainpens frequently recommends it as a go-to workhorse for everyday use. Highly legible and professional-looking.

→ Find Diamine Majestic Blue on Amazon

5. Amber — Warm and Rich

Amber is a gorgeous warm orange-brown that shades beautifully in flex and broad nibs. It’s one of those inks that looks like liquid honey on the page. Well-behaved on quality paper; some feathering on cheap paper with broad nibs. A favorite for journaling and correspondence.

→ Find Diamine Amber on Amazon

6. Hope Pink — The Charity Ink

Hope Pink is a bright coral-pink from Diamine’s charity collection, with a portion of proceeds going to cancer research. Beyond the noble cause, it’s an excellent ink: well-saturated, good flow, minimal feathering. One of the best pinks in any ink brand’s catalog.

→ Find Diamine Hope Pink on Amazon

How Diamine Ink Performs on Different Papers and Nibs

One of the gaps I notice in most Diamine reviews is the lack of cross-paper and cross-nib testing. Here’s what my experience shows:

• Cheap copy paper (20–24lb): Most Diamine Standard inks perform surprisingly well on cheap paper with fine and medium nibs. Broad nibs may cause minor feathering. Shimmer inks fare worse on cheap paper — the particles don’t spread as evenly.
• Rhodia / Clairefontaine: Excellent performance across the board. The smooth paper surface brings out sheen effects in inks like Oxford Blue and Oxblood.
• Tomoe River Paper: The ultimate Diamine showcase. Sheen effects are maximized, shimmer particles glide smoothly, and shading is gorgeous. However, dry times can extend to 45–60 seconds on this paper.
• Fine nibs (EF/F): Stick to Standard inks. Shimmer inks risk clogging over time. Most Standard colors flow well even in tight fine Japanese nibs.
• Broad nibs (B/BB): Any Diamine ink shines here. Shading, sheen, and shimmer effects are all amplified with broader line widths.

As fountain pen reviewer Brad Dowdy of The Pen Addict has noted, ink behavior is “as much about the paper and nib as the ink itself” — and Diamine’s wide range means you can find a color that works for virtually any pen and paper combination.

Diamine Ink Line Comparison

→ Browse the Full Diamine Ink Range on Amazon

Honest Downsides: What Diamine Gets Wrong

No ink brand is perfect, and intellectual honesty demands I share where Diamine falls short:

• Low water resistance: Almost all Diamine Standard inks have poor water resistance. A single drop of water can smear or wash away writing. For archival documents or anything important, look at Diamine’s Registrar’s Ink or a different brand entirely (Noodler’s Black, Pilot Iroshizuku, etc.).
• Shimmer settling: In the Shimmertastic line, shimmer particles settle to the bottom of the bottle quickly. You’ll need to shake or gently roll the bottle before filling your pen. Shimmer can also settle in converters and cartridges, requiring occasional gentle agitation.
• Feathering on cheap paper: Some wetter colors (Oxford Blue, Majestic Blue) feather noticeably on cheap copy paper with broad nibs. If you live on cheap paper, stick to finer nibs with Diamine.
• Fine nib shimmer clogging: Shimmertastic inks can clog pens with very fine nibs (EF/F) over time. Always use these inks in M or B nibs and flush frequently.
• Inconsistent quality control: A small number of Amazon reviewers have noted batch-to-batch color variation in a handful of colors. This appears rare but worth mentioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Diamine ink good for beginners?

Absolutely. Diamine is one of the most beginner-friendly ink brands available. The inks are well-behaved, affordable, and available in sample sizes from retailers like Goulet Pens. The Standard collection works in virtually any fountain pen, and the low price means you can experiment freely.

What are the best Diamine ink colors to start with?

Start with Oxford Blue, Majestic Blue, or Oxblood — these three give you a reliable blue-black, a brighter blue, and a dark red with surprising sheen. From there, explore Amber for warmth or Magical Forest if you want to try shimmer.

Is Diamine ink safe for all fountain pens?

Diamine Standard inks are safe for all fountain pens, including vintage pens with rubber sacs (they’re pH-neutral and non-corrosive). Shimmertastic inks should be used with caution in vintage or very fine-nibbed pens due to shimmer particle accumulation.

How does Diamine compare to Pilot Iroshizuku or Sailor inks?

Diamine offers far more color variety at a fraction of the price. Iroshizuku and Sailor inks often have superior sheen and more refined properties, but at 2–3x the cost per ml. For most everyday writing, Diamine holds its own admirably. For serious collectors, all three brands deserve shelf space.

Does Diamine ink clog fountain pens?

Standard Diamine inks almost never clog pens and clean out easily with water. Shimmertastic inks require more frequent flushing (every 2–3 weeks) to prevent shimmer particle buildup, especially in pens not used daily.

The Verdict: Is Diamine Ink Worth It?

After testing over 40 colors in more than a dozen pens, my verdict is unambiguous: Diamine is the best value in fountain pen ink, full stop. No other brand offers this combination of color variety, consistent quality, pen safety, and accessibility at this price point.

The Standard collection alone could keep a fountain pen enthusiast satisfied for years. The Shimmertastic line brings genuine creative excitement for calligraphers and journal lovers. The 1864 collection rewards those who want premium shading and sheen properties from a trusted British manufacturer.

Yes, the water resistance is low. Yes, shimmer inks require care. But these are manageable tradeoffs for an ink brand that delivers real joy with every bottle. Whether you’re filling your first fountain pen or your two-hundredth, Diamine earns a permanent spot on your ink shelf.

Rating: 4.7 / 5

• ✅ Exceptional color variety (200+)
• ✅ Outstanding value for money
• ✅ Safe for all fountain pens (Standard line)
• ✅ Good everyday performance
• ✅ Beautiful sheen and shimmer options
• ❌ Low water resistance
• ❌ Shimmer inks require nib size care

→ Shop Diamine Ink on Amazon — Start Your Collection Today

About the author: Alex Chen is a fountain pen collector and calligrapher with over 200 fountain pens in active rotation. He specializes in ink testing across a wide range of papers and nib types, with a focus on helping beginners find the perfect ink without breaking the bank.