Diamine Aqua Blue

Another turquoise! Colorwise, it’s another one in the sea of turquoise inks. It is similar to Aurora Turquoise, Stipula Light Blue, Scribo Blu Capri, Taccia Sora Sky Blue, Röhrer and Klingner Blu Mare, Pilot IRoshizuku Ama-Iro, Waterman Inspired Blue, Kobe Wind Blue, Robert Oster Australian Sky Blue, P.W. Akkerman #12 Trêves Turquoise. Pelikan Edelstein Topaz is deeper and J. Herbin Bleu Pervenche is greener and deeper, just as is Robert Oster Bondi Blue (but this one has red sheen!). Diamine Aqua Blue offers some shading, and I was able to see red sheen at the edge of where the ink pools in heavy application. It has decent flow, even in my driest nib. I enjoy it most in wet nibs, regardless of their width. The ink feels a bit thin under a dry nib, but the nib doesn’t catch in the paper. In terms of its characteristics, I think it’s closest to Aurora Turquoise. I don’t have any Diamine Turquoise or Havasu Turquoise to do a comparison, but as far as Diamine or Diamine rebranded inks, I find it’s really close to P.W. Akkerman #12 Trêves Turquoise.