Compiled from 4 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
J. Herbin 1670 Rouge Hématite is a scarlet red fountain pen ink with gold shimmer and a strong green sheen, made in France and sold in a 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) bottle with a hand-waxed cap. First released in 2010, it isn't water resistant, took 90 seconds to dry in one review, and needs shaking and careful cleaning.
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The wax-sealed 50 ml bottle, drawn in proportion, with a swab of the ink.
Product facts
Product
J. Herbin 1670 Rouge Hématite fountain pen ink, 50 ml bottle
Water-based ink with gold shimmer particles, in a glass bottle
Released
2010*
Price range
$$$$20–75 per item
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Notes on these facts
Made by J. Herbin (Jacques Herbin), Exacompta Clairefontaine group, France. Made in France: Jacques Herbin's French product page (read in full on October 21, 2026) 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. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Goulet says Rouge Hématite was first released in 2010 to celebrate Jacques Herbin's 340th anniversary; Herbin's page doesn't give a date.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
The 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) glass bottle has an 18.3 mm (0.72 in) opening and a cap hand-dipped in sealing wax, per Goulet and Herbin.
Goulet says it was first released in 2010 for Jacques Herbin's 340th anniversary.
Mountain of Ink measured a 90-second dry time, the longest it had ever recorded.
Mountain of Ink rates its green sheen high and its water resistance low.
On October 21, 2026 it ranked 43rd among Goulet's bottled inks sorted by best selling, with 168 customer reviews.
What is J. Herbin Rouge Hématite?
It’s a scarlet red fountain pen ink with gold shimmer, from J. Herbin’s 1670 collection. Herbin’s French page says the 1670 inks commemorate the year the house was founded in Paris, and describes Rouge Hématite as a scarlet red that its gold flakes pull slightly toward brown.
Goulet says it was first released in 2010 to celebrate Herbin’s 340th anniversary. It’s the older sibling of the bestselling Emerald of Chivor and ranked 43rd among Goulet’s bottled inks sorted by best selling on October 21, 2026.
Fountain pens, rollerballs, glass and dip pens (Herbin)
Released
2010 (Goulet)
Bottle
50 ml (1.7 fl oz) glass, wax-dipped cap, 1670 seal
Bottle opening
18.3 mm (0.72 in), per Goulet
Ink type
Shimmer ink: gold particles; not iron gall or pigmented (Goulet)
Water resistance
Low (Goulet, Mountain of Ink)
Dry time
90 s (Mountain of Ink)
Shading / sheen
None / high green sheen (Mountain of Ink)
Price band
$$$ ($20–75 per bottle)
Herbin’s French site and Goulet give different reference numbers (16026JT and JH-15026JT), so we list both. Neither publishes the bottle’s size; our cover draws it in proportion, matching our Emerald of Chivor drawing of the same bottle.
How many converter fills one 50 ml bottle holds (bottle ÷ capacity), with Rouge Hématite's sourced properties.
How does Rouge Hématite look on paper?
Bright red, with a strong green sheen where it pools and gold sparkle in the light. Mountain of Ink says the sheen is so strong in ink drops that it hides the shimmer, and calls it an ink that punches you in the face.
On Mountain of Ink’s papers it didn’t feather, with medium show-through and a little bleeding from a flex nib. On 20 lb copy paper it feathered just slightly.
How fast does Rouge Hématite dry, and is it water resistant?
Slowly, and no. Mountain of Ink measured 90 seconds, the longest it had ever seen: the ink looked dry at 50 seconds but still smeared until 90.
Goulet lists it as not water resistant, and Mountain of Ink rates it low. It’s an ink for cards and journals, not for envelopes or quick notes.
Which pens is Rouge Hématite safe for?
Wet-writing pens that are easy to take apart and clean, or a glass or dip pen. Goulet warns that the particles may restrict ink flow in some pens, and advises shaking the bottle before filling and rolling the pen in your hand often.
Mountain of Ink had to rotate the pen about every three words to keep the shimmer flowing, saw some nib creep, and found it very hard to clean out. It suspects a converter would stain if the ink sat too long. Use a demonstrator like the TWSBI ECO so you can see the particles, and keep it out of vintage pens.
How do you clean it out?
Flush right after use, then keep flushing until no gold is left in the feed. Don’t let it sit in a pen for weeks; Goulet tells owners to be diligent about cleaning and maintenance.
Clean the pen before switching back to an everyday ink.
How does it compare with other red inks?
It’s the showiest red we cover, and the most work.
For an everyday red that needs no extra care, Oxblood is the easier pick. Our best fountain pen inks roundup picks one ink per use.
Where is Rouge Hématite 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 Paris, the year the 1670 inks commemorate.
Frequently asked questions
What color is Rouge Hématite?
A scarlet red. Herbin's French page says the gold flakes pull it slightly toward brown; Mountain of Ink saw a bright red-pink with a green sheen and gold shimmer.
What does Rouge Hématite mean?
Hematite red. Goulet explains that hematite is an iron ore which, ground to powder, has long been used as a red pigment; the color recalls the red of Herbin's logo and sealing wax.
Is Herbin Rouge Hématite an iron gall ink?
No. Despite the iron-ore name, Goulet lists it as not iron gall and not pigmented; the sparkle comes from gold shimmer particles.
Will Rouge Hématite clog my fountain pen?
It can. Goulet warns the particles may restrict flow in some pens, so shake the bottle before filling, roll the pen often and clean it diligently.
Is Rouge Hématite water resistant?
No. Goulet lists it as not water resistant and Mountain of Ink rates it low.
Can I use Rouge Hématite in a dip pen?
Yes. Herbin's French page says the 1670 inks are for fountain pens, roller pens, glass pens and dip pens. A glass or dip pen also sidesteps the cleaning work.
Is J. Herbin ink made in France?
Yes. Herbin's French product page says 'Fabrication française', and that the wax on the cap and the seal are applied by hand in its workshop.
