Kala Nostalgia Gemstone Scapolite

[Yazeh]

Kala inks are based in Taiwan and make mostly pigment inks, the Gemstone (variations on grey), Abstraction (variations on Khaki, Grey and Purple) and Tribute to Neon (highlighter), They have also 3 series of dye-based inks, as of now (2023).
This is my first pigment ink from this brand.
According to https://geology.com/minerals/scapolite.shtml
"Scapolite is a name used for a group of aluminosilicate minerals that includes meionite, marialite, and silvialite"

No comment

Now about the ink.

Chroma:

Kala Scapolite belongs to the Gemstone series. It is a dark green, grey. With finer nibs it’s almost black. It needs a drier, wider nib, in order to enjoy the green. It reminds me of Noodler’s Zhivago or dark El Lawrence.
Comparaison:


Ink is very wet, to the point I can easily write/sketch in reverse with a European fine nib.
I am not a fan of pale/ pencil greys or grey blacks. Initially I thought, I should have gone with a paler green, grey, yet I’ve been refilling my Lamy Safari, constantly with it. I really like writing and sketching with it.
Writing samples:
Rhodia

TR 68 gr


Photo of the scan above:


Marumann

Midori

Cheap Paper (Front)

Cheap paper (back)


This ink is water resistant but not 100% waterproof. Rubbing or washing it will spread the green dye, which makes it perfect for washes.

A simple wash on Canson Water colour paper:

A sketch I did for inktober (shadows) - Note I used a wet brush to float the green dye about. (my apologies to Georges de La Tour)
Shadow.jpeg

I had to use a pen cleaner for the Safari. Note this was after the half a day of soaking in water.... Ironically the Pilot didn't need that much cleaning...
75F1E5C5-6D7E-440A-A979-6B2DEB73F46C.jpeg



· Pens used: Lamy Safari (Fine/ Medium /Broad) /Pilot Kakuno (M), Kanwrite Ultraflex /TWSBI Go Stub,
· Shading: Only wide a fude nib.
· Ghosting: Yes On cheap paper
· Bleed through: Yes, with absorbent papers.
· Flow Rate: Very wet
· Lubrication: Great. I enjoyed reverse writing with a Japanese M
· Nib Dry-out: Not noticed.
· Start-up: No problem.
· Saturation: Dark.
· Shading Potential: Only with a fude nib…needs a dry pen
· Sheen: Faint
· Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Not noticed
· Nib Creep / “Crud”: No
· Staining (pen): No
· Clogging: No.
· Cleaning: Lamy Safari needed a pen cleaner.
· Water resistance: See for yourself
· Availability: 30 ml bottles

Comments appreciated but not obligatory

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks for the review, Yazeh. Love the chroma, and one of these days I'll dig out my de la Tour Santa Claus.

[LizEF]

Thanks again, Yazeh! You have successfully renewed my desire to try El Lawrence and Burma Road Brown.

[Yazeh]

Thanks for the review, Yazeh. Love the chroma, and one of these days I'll dig out my de la Tour Santa Claus.

Looking forward to it

[Yazeh]

Thanks again, Yazeh! You have successfully renewed my desire to try El Lawrence and Burma Road Brown.

I believe El Lawrence is bulletproof, BRB is slightly less

[Robert]

Excellent review (and pics!). This ink merits a try.

[Yazeh]

Excellent review (and pics!). This ink merits a try.

[Chrissy]

Yazeh you say "I had to use a pen cleaner for the Safari. Note this was after the half a day of soaking in water.... Ironically the Pilot didn't need that much cleaning..."
Are you saying it stained the body of the pen? Did you need to use some sort of product in addition to a normal pen flush to get rid of the ink from inside the Safari?

[InesF]

Thank you, Yazeh, for the review.
This ink has a beautiful colour! Fortunately, it is a pigment ink, my wallet will not be emptied.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Okay, Santa Claus and his crystal ball. This was an experiment in gouache and colored pencil on black mat board… done ages ago.

[LizEF]

Okay, Santa Claus and his crystal ball. This was an experiment in gouache and colored pencil on black mat board… done ages ago.

I like this better than the original. Santa Claus pondering the naughty and nice list.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Okay, Santa Claus and his crystal ball. This was an experiment in gouache and colored pencil on black mat board… done ages ago.

I like this better than the original. Santa Claus pondering the naughty and nice list.

Egg-zackly!

[forester]

Very nicely done!