J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor: Shimmer, Sheen & Care
J. Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor is a deep blue-green fountain pen ink with a red sheen and gold shimmer particles, made in France. It comes in a 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) glass bottle with a hand-dipped wax seal. It isn't water resistant, dries in about 10–30 seconds in reviewers' tests, and needs shaking before each fill.
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Product facts
- Product
- J. Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor fountain pen ink, 50 ml bottle
- Brand
- J. Herbin
- Brand origin
- France
- Made in
- France*
- Material
- Water-based ink with gold shimmer particles, in a glass bottle
- Released
- August 2015
- Price range
- $$$$20–75 per item
Notes on these facts
- Made by J. Herbin (Jacques Herbin), Exacompta Clairefontaine group, France. Made in France: Jacques Herbin's French product page says 'Fabrication française' (French-made) and that the cap waxing and the seal on the bottle are done by hand in the Jacques Herbin workshop. Retailers also list the 50 ml bottle as made in France. Herbin has belonged to the French Exacompta Clairefontaine group since 1990 (Exaclair catalogue). Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- The glass bottle holds 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) and has an 18.3 mm (0.72 in) opening, per Goulet.
- Goulet released it in August 2015 as the fourth ink in Herbin's 1670 Anniversary series.
- A Fountain Pen Companion top-25 list ranks it 2nd of all inks, owned by 873 users.
- Reviewers measured dry times of about 10–20 seconds (Goulet) and 30 seconds (Mountain of Ink).
- Herbin's French site says 'Fabrication française' and that each cap is wax-dipped and sealed by hand in its workshop; Herbin is part of the Exacompta Clairefontaine group.
What is Emerald of Chivor?
It’s a deep blue-green fountain pen ink with gold shimmer and a red sheen, from J. Herbin’s 1670 Anniversary series. Goulet says it was released in August 2015 as the fourth ink in the series.
It’s one of the most owned inks among enthusiasts: a top-25 list from Fountain Pen Companion, shared on Fountain Pen Network, ranks it 2nd, owned by 873 users, just behind Diamine Oxblood.
Emerald of Chivor specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | J. Herbin (Jacques Herbin), France |
| Item code | 15035JT (Herbin), EAN 3188555150351 |
| Use | Fountain pens, rollerballs, glass and dip pens (Herbin) |
| Series | 1670 Anniversary, released August 2015 (Goulet) |
| Bottle | 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) glass, wax-dipped cap |
| Bottle opening | 18.3 mm (0.72 in), per Goulet |
| Ink type | Shimmer ink: gold particles, red sheen |
| Water resistance | Low (Goulet); medium (Mountain of Ink) |
| Dry time | About 10–20 s (Goulet); 30 s (Mountain of Ink) |
| Shading / sheen | Low / medium red sheen (Mountain of Ink) |
| Price band | $$$ ($20–75 per bottle) |
One retailer lists the bottle at about 6 × 6 × 8.8 cm (2.4 × 2.4 × 3.5 in) and 0.2 kg, which may include packaging, so our cover draws it in proportion.
How does Emerald of Chivor look on paper?
Blue-green in thin lines, with red sheen where it pools and gold sparkle in the light. Pen Addict says the sparkle shows best in sunlight, and that the ink works with fine nibs for everyday writing.
Mountain of Ink rates the shading low and the red sheen medium. Sheen generally shows most on smooth, less absorbent paper such as Tomoe River, where the ink pools.
How fast does it dry, and is it water resistant?
It dries in about 10 to 30 seconds and isn’t water resistant. Goulet’s smear test puts it at about 10 to 20 seconds; Mountain of Ink measured 30.
Goulet rates water resistance low, with some words and lines staying faintly visible. Mountain of Ink rates it medium: much of the ink washed away, but the writing stayed legible.
Which pens is it safe for?
Pens that are easy to take apart and clean, with a wet nib. Goulet warns that the gold particles may restrict ink flow in some pens, so shake the bottle well before filling and roll the pen in your hand often.
The Gentleman Stationer found it didn’t clog his pen, but Mountain of Ink had a Pilot Vanishing Point spit ink while using it. We’d keep it out of vintage or hard-to-clean pens, and use a demonstrator like the TWSBI ECO to watch the particles.
How do you clean it out?
Flush with water, then flush again until no gold remains in the feed. Reviewers describe it as relatively easy to clean for a shimmer ink, but we’d expect particles to lodge in the feed if a pen sits inked and dries out.
Don’t leave it in a pen for months. Clean the pen before switching back to an everyday ink.
What’s special about the bottle?
Each cap is hand-dipped in sealing wax, and a 1670 seal is stamped on the front. Retailers say Herbin seals the caps by hand, fitting for a firm that started out making sealing wax.
The 18.3 mm (0.72 in) opening takes most nibs. Because the gold settles to the bottom, gently swirl or shake the bottle before every fill.
Where is Emerald of Chivor made?
In France: Herbin’s French product page says “Fabrication française”, and that the wax on the cap and the seal on the bottle are applied by hand in the Jacques Herbin workshop. J. Herbin dates its house to 1670 in the heart of Paris; that’s the brand’s own heritage claim, and the 1670 inks commemorate it.
Herbin joined the Exacompta Clairefontaine group in 1990 and has sat under its Clairefontaine Rhodia business since 2021, per Exaclair’s catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What color is Emerald of Chivor?
A deep blue-green, or teal, with gold shimmer particles and a strong red sheen where the ink pools. Retailers describe it as green-blue with gold flecks and a red sheen.
Is Emerald of Chivor a shimmer ink?
Yes. It carries gold particles that settle to the bottom of the bottle, so Pen Addict says to shake it well before filling. Goulet adds that the particles can restrict flow in some pens.
How big is a bottle of Emerald of Chivor?
The glass bottle holds 50 ml (1.7 fl oz), and Goulet gives an 18.3 mm (0.72 in) opening. One retailer lists it at about 6 × 6 × 8.8 cm and 0.2 kg, which may include packaging.
Is Emerald of Chivor waterproof?
No. Goulet lists it as not water resistant and rates it low, with some words staying faintly visible; Mountain of Ink rates it medium, with the writing still legible.
How long does Emerald of Chivor take to dry?
About 10 to 20 seconds in Goulet's smear test and 30 seconds in Mountain of Ink's. Its heavy sheen means pooled areas on coated paper take longer.
Will Emerald of Chivor clog my pen?
It can in some pens, Goulet warns, because of the gold particles. Use a wet, easy-to-clean pen, roll it in your hand often, and don't leave it inked for months.
Why is the bottle sealed with wax?
It's part of the 1670 Anniversary series' look: retailers say each cap is hand-dipped in sealing wax, and a 1670 seal is stamped on the bottle, fitting for a house that started out making sealing wax in Paris.
Where is J. Herbin ink made?
In France, according to retailers. J. Herbin dates its house to 1670 in Paris and has been part of the Exacompta Clairefontaine group since 1990.
Sources
- Jacques Herbin (French): Encre pailletée d'or 1670, Emeraude de Chivor (15035JT; fabrication française, hand-waxed cap and seal; for fountain, roller, glass and dip pens)
- Goulet Pens: Jacques Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor 50 ml bottled ink (opening 18.3 mm, released August 2015, flow warning)
- Goulet Pens: Jacques Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor, ink review (dry time, water resistance)
- Mountain of Ink: Ink Review No. 144, J. Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor
- Pen Addict: J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor ink review (September 18, 2015)
- The Gentleman Stationer: Ink review, J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor
- SB Libris: Jacques Herbin 1670 Émeraude de Chivor 50 ml (made in France, wax-dipped cap)
- Write Gear: J. Herbin Émeraude de Chivor ink bottle (about 6 × 6 × 8.8 cm, 0.2 kg)
- Papeterie Makkura: Herbin 1670 Chivor Emerald ink 50 ml (EAN 3188555150351)
- Exaclair: Fine Arts catalogue 2025, Herbin (history, Exacompta Clairefontaine group)
- Fountain Pen Network: List of inks by popularity (Fountain Pen Companion top 25)