Discolored Omas Paragon Arco?

[Susan3141]

I just received an Omas Paragon Arco. It's a 2002 model.

My question is this: I thought the beautiful glowing wood-like colors were supposed to go all around the pen. On this pen there are two sides that exhibit the glowing, beautiful gold and brown colors, and two sides that are dark brown striped. Did I get a discolored Arco? Or is this normal? It's hard to show the dramatic difference in the colors in the photos, but hopefully you can see what I mean. Now, if I don't put the cap on just perfectly, nothing lines up. I am not happy with the coloration, because I expected it to be consistent all around the pen. I need to know if this is acceptable for Arcos or if I should send the pen back.

Here's what I expected the entire pen to look like:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/262/18650675064_fe8e02e0d0_z_d.jpg

Here's what two sides of the pen look like (dark brown stripes, no gold anything):

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/549/19273141485_1190a6e55a_z_d.jpg

A close up of the dark brown striped portion:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/439/19273142355_8cc14f97e3_z_d.jpg

Here you can see the dark brown stripes and on the edge the gold. There's no gradual movement from one color to the next. It's like I've got two sides with the golden Arco look and two sides that are pinstripe brown.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/257/19247070696_364c80dedc_z_d.jpg

Thanks. If this is normal for Arcos, that's fine. I just thought the beautiful golden color was supposed to go all around the pen consistently.

Susan

[manoeuver]

I do believe the shiny effervescent effect doesn't happen 360 degrees around the pen. I've seen it in person and it wasn't shiny like that all the way around.

still a fantastic material. others will chime in with good info soon.

[tandaina]

Yeah the shiny is only where the "flat" of the folds are visible I believe. So where you aren't seeing the flat, but rather to side on the material it won't be all sparkly/glowing. And I'm jealous. :(

[jar]

Totally normal.

[Susan3141]

Okay. That's what everyone has been saying. I'll chill now. Thanks!

[jar]

Okay. That's what everyone has been saying. I'll chill now. Thanks!

Think about slicing onions. One way you get rings; the other way you get what you see there.

[jouesdeveau]

Normal-- and beautiful!

[reprieve]

Mine looks exactly like that. It's a stunning pen. The cap on mine is a bit finicky also--you do have to put it on just right to get the facets and the striations in the celluloid to all line up properly. It looks like you have a normal Omas!

[Bogon07]

My Ogiva in Arco brown has the same effect and it has a round body.
I suspect it is due to the way they make the "celluloide" by building up layers.

The Visconti Wallstreets are similar in having a light and dark side of the barrel.

[whichwatch]

As others have said, what you see is completely normal.

Omas cap threads have multiple start points and not all will result in the grain pattern lining up. If the result is not aligned when you start with the clip aligned with the "colorful" side, try rotating 90 degrees for the next start. You will soon learn how to align the cap before threading so when you finish you get alignment.

[Special K]

Test

[carlc]

Looks like we're off to the races again.

[Susan3141]

I know, right? I should not post questions on FPG.

[carlc]

I know, right? I should not post questions on FPG.


Don't let him get you down.

Generally the Geeks is a friendly place but currently in desperate need of a moderator.

The other one you've had problems with is a PITA but tends to stay out of sight. Sadly he does make buying from the classifieds slightly less safe but there are plenty of well known people with good reputations selling as well.

[reprieve]

I know, right? I should not post questions on FPG.

Oh dear. I enjoy your posts, and I hope you'll continue to ask questions on FPGeeks. Most of us are friendly most of the time. I'm sorry you experienced otherwise.

[Susan3141]

Oh, no worries. I love this forum. I just don't want another post to explode into all out war.

[tandaina]

Oh, no worries. I love this forum. I just don't want another post to explode into all out war.

The ignore feature is a beautiful thing. ;)

[Susan3141]

Yes. I have implemented it. Absolutely delightful.

[musicman123]

I'm going to return this thread to normal! The term you are looking for, for the shininess if called "chatoyancy." It is a common effect witnessed in various gemstones like tiger's eye, and beryl. I will quote from WikiPedia below as it explains the science of chatoyancy better than I ever could.


The effect can be likened to the sheen off a spool of silk: The luminous streak of reflected light is always perpendicular to the direction of the fibres. For a gemstone to show this effect best it must be cut en cabochon, with the fibers or fibrous structures parallel to the base of the finished gem. The best finished specimens show a single sharply defined band of light that moves across the stone when it is rotated. Chatoyant stones of lesser quality display a banded effect as is typical with cat's-eye varieties of quartz. Faceted stones do not show the effect well.

For a TL;DR, the amount of chatoyancy depends on the way the material is cut. Since it is a circle, the result of the cut changes depending on the side (or the horizontal and vertical tangents for you calculus people).

[Susan3141]

I'm going to return this thread to normal! The term you are looking for, for the shininess if called "chatoyancy." It is a common effect witnessed in various gemstones like tiger's eye, and beryl. I will quote from WikiPedia below as it explains the science of chatoyancy better than I ever could.


The effect can be likened to the sheen off a spool of silk: The luminous streak of reflected light is always perpendicular to the direction of the fibres. For a gemstone to show this effect best it must be cut en cabochon, with the fibers or fibrous structures parallel to the base of the finished gem. The best finished specimens show a single sharply defined band of light that moves across the stone when it is rotated. Chatoyant stones of lesser quality display a banded effect as is typical with cat's-eye varieties of quartz. Faceted stones do not show the effect well.

For a TL;DR, the amount of chatoyancy depends on the way the material is cut. Since it is a circle, the result of the cut changes depending on the side (or the horizontal and vertical tangents for you calculus people).

Thank you! That is very helpful. And now I have a new word in my vocabulary!

[AltecGreen]

If the pattern of the standard arco pattern does not suit you, you can look for an Omas Arco Spina di Pesce (http://www.estilograficas.net/omas-edicion-especial-arco-spina-celuloide-spina-di-pesce/). It is the same arco material but cut at a different angle creating a totally different effect. This pattern is rare but the pens can be found if you look hard enough.

[FredRydr]

Wow! I gotta get me one of them thar Arcos!

Fred

[Susan3141]

You're mocking me, aren't you, Fred? I deserve it.

[Laura N]

You're mocking me, aren't you, Fred? I deserve it.

Oh, I'm sure he's not. Fred's one of the nicest people around. He probably just liked the pen Ricky linked to, which I've never seen before, and I'm an Omas fan. Ricky always has the most amazing Italian pens.

I personally like the regular Arco better, though, like the one you have. Mine's Arco Verde. :)

[Susan3141]

You're mocking me, aren't you, Fred? I deserve it.

Oh, I'm sure he's not. Fred's one of the nicest people around. He probably just liked the pen Ricky linked to, which I've never seen before, and I'm an Omas fan. Ricky always has the most amazing Italian pens.

I personally like the regular Arco better, though, like the one you have. Mine's Arco Verde. :)

I bought the pen in question from Fred, that's why he's mocking me. I told him I freaked out when I first received it thinking something was wrong. Should've just asked him about it. :)

[FredRydr]

No mocking. Hey, I have the ballpoint to remind me of that gorgeous celluloid, at least until someone smart buys it! Bert Oser (https://www.bertramsinkwell.com/home.php) has an interesting display in his shop with a block of that celluloid.

Fred

[Bogon07]

If the pattern of the standard arco pattern does not suit you, you can look for an Omas Arco Spina di Pesce (http://www.estilograficas.net/omas-edicion-especial-arco-spina-celuloide-spina-di-pesce/). It is the same arco material but cut at a different angle creating a totally different effect. This pattern is rare but the pens can be found if you look hard enough.
Wow indeed. Similar but dramatically different.
http://www.estilograficas.org/imagenes/firmas/omas/ediciones-limitadas/omas-arco-spina/omas-arco-spina-0.jpg

[youstruckgold]

Not much more to be said here that hasn't already been said. I also prefer the standard Arco; and I also like the variation between light and shade. For a fabulous example, you should see it on the 360!!!:jaw:
https://youstruckgold.smugmug.com/Pens/Omas/i-hb9LzNj/0/L/IMG_2207-L.jpg

[whichwatch]

Not much more to be said here that hasn't already been said. I also prefer the standard Arco; and I also like the variation between light and shade. For a fabulous example, you should see it on the 360!!!

That's gorgeous! The Arco Brown looks good on almost any model on which it is used!

http://www.fototime.com/%7B86B6ECA1-F4C5-40C4-B5F2-195D39A25E31%7D/origpict/DSCN7853.JPG

[KBeezie]

dammit...(I don't need more pens right now) lol.

[guy bagnall]

I'm going to return this thread to normal! The term you are looking for, for the shininess if called "chatoyancy." It is a common effect witnessed in various gemstones like tiger's eye, and beryl. I will quote from WikiPedia below as it explains the science of chatoyancy better than I ever could.


The effect can be likened to the sheen off a spool of silk: The luminous streak of reflected light is always perpendicular to the direction of the fibres. For a gemstone to show this effect best it must be cut en cabochon, with the fibers or fibrous structures parallel to the base of the finished gem. The best finished specimens show a single sharply defined band of light that moves across the stone when it is rotated. Chatoyant stones of lesser quality display a banded effect as is typical with cat's-eye varieties of quartz. Faceted stones do not show the effect well.

For a TL;DR, the amount of chatoyancy depends on the way the material is cut. Since it is a circle, the result of the cut changes depending on the side (or the horizontal and vertical tangents for you calculus people).

Thank you! That is very helpful. And now I have a new word in my vocabulary!

Hi Susan - I have the same Omas and the date 2002 is inscribed on the barrel. I have seen two different nib designs, one with Omas with a large O and another with the OMAS letters all the same size. On the bottom of the nib is 18k on one side and 750 on the other. I personally prefer the large O version but I wondered if yours might be the same? Regards

[guy bagnall]

By the way, does anyone know what the 750 means?

[AltecGreen]

By the way, does anyone know what the 750 means?

Percent of gold in the nib. 18 kt is 750 (Technically, it means 0.750)

14 kt is 585.

[FredRydr]

Hi Susan...
This thread is two years old, and I believe she resold the pen last year or earlier.

Fred

[Chrissy]

Hi Susan...
This thread is two years old, and I believe she resold the pen last year or earlier.

Fred
'Tis true enough. :)

[Woody]

I know, right? I should not post questions on FPG.

Always remember. One time there was a round table business meeting and someone suggested a movie about a Shark Tornado. You know the rest of the story.