J. Herbin 1670 vs Diamine Aurora Borealis: Which Shimmer Ink?

Both are shimmer inks, but they aim at different writers. J. Herbin 1670 has large gold particles for dramatic sparkle, even in medium nibs, but settles fast and is not safe for fine nibs. Diamine Aurora Borealis uses finer particles that behave in medium nibs with less clogging, at a lower price and a less intense sparkle.

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At a glance

Spec	J. Herbin 1670 Anniversary Ink Check price on Amazon	Diamine Aurora Borealis Shimmer Ink Check price on Amazon
Price	$22-$28	$12-$16
Our rating	4.4 / 5	4.3 / 5
Best for	Writers who want striking shimmer ink for journaling, art, or special correspondence	Writers new to shimmer inks who want a lower-maintenance entry point
Shimmer particle size	Large gold particles, dramatic sparkle	Fine copper and gold particles
Nib compatibility	Medium and broad only; not for fine or EF	Works in medium nibs without frequent clogging
Maintenance	Shake before every fill; particles settle quickly	Lower maintenance for a shimmer ink
Street price	$22 to $28 (50ml)	$12 to $16

The two options in depth

4.4 Editorial score Amazon

J. Herbin 1670 Anniversary Ink

A celebratory collection of shimmer inks with large gold particles suspended in richly pigmented bases. The Rouge Hematite and Bleu Ocean colorways are community favorites. Requires broad nibs and regular flushing.

Best for Writers who want striking shimmer ink for journaling, art, or special correspondence

Dramatic shimmer particle size; sparkles visibly even in medium nibsRich base colors complement the gold shimmer50ml bottle at a reasonable price for shimmer ink Particles settle quickly; shake before every fill

$22-$28 Check price on Amazon

4.3 Editorial score Amazon

Diamine Aurora Borealis Shimmer Ink

A teal-to-blue shimmer ink from Diamine's Shimmertastic line with fine copper and gold particles. More forgiving for medium nibs than the J. Herbin 1670 and priced accessibly.

Best for Writers new to shimmer inks who want a lower-maintenance entry point

Fine shimmer particles work in medium nibs without frequent cloggingVivid teal base color with warm particle shimmerAffordable entry point to shimmer inks Shimmer less dramatic than J. Herbin 1670 in fine strokes

$12-$16 Check price on Amazon

Which should you buy?

Buy J. Herbin 1670 if you want maximum sparkle for journaling, art, or special correspondence and you are writing with medium or broad nibs; the large particles are the most visually dramatic in the category. Buy Diamine Aurora Borealis if you are shimmer-curious but want a lower-maintenance, lower-cost entry that still works reliably in a daily medium nib. Neither belongs in a fine or extra-fine nib, where shimmer particles clog the feed.

Common questions

Will shimmer ink clog my pen?

It can if you leave it sitting, especially the large-particle J. Herbin 1670. Flush every one to two weeks of regular use, shake the bottle before filling, and stay with medium or broader nibs. The finer-particle Aurora Borealis is more forgiving but still benefits from the same habits.

Can I use either in a fine or extra-fine nib?

No. Both inks need the wider channel of a medium, broad, or stub nib to keep shimmer particles flowing. Pairing shimmer with a fine or extra-fine nib is the most common cause of a clogged feed.

Which sparkles more on the page?

J. Herbin 1670, by a clear margin. Its large gold particles catch the light even in medium strokes. The Aurora Borealis sparkle is subtler and reads more as a fine shimmer than dramatic flakes.