It is the summer of Barbie and pink is in the air. Since the moment the new Edelstein Rose Quartz ink was announced, talk of a matching pen took flight. To say expectations were high for this one would be quite the understatement. Perhaps even Warner Brothers took note, colluding with Pelikan to cash in on some of the pink fervor. While I say that tongue in cheek, I’m very serious about being blindsided just 48 hours ago when Pelikan announced yet another new model, the first to grace their freshly minted Art Collection, the Glacuo Cambon M600. While still reeling from that news, Pelikan comes in for the body blow with today’s announcement of the upcoming Pelikan M205 Rose Quartz. The practice of marrying a matching fountain pen to their annual Edelstein Ink Of The Year release has been a tradition that goes all the way back to 2015, making the Rose Quartz the ninth such pairing to make an appearance. Six of the prior releases have been M205s whereas only two were M200s, the two being distinguished only by their trim. Before I move on, it’s worth recapping just what we’ve been given to date. Past models have included the M205 Amethyst (2015), M205 Aquamarine (2016), M200 Smoky Quartz (2017), M205 Olivine (2018), M205 Star Ruby (2019), M205 Moonstone (2020), M200 Golden Beryl (2021), and M205 Apatite (2022). Despite every model mentioned being a demonstrator, Pelikan used the line to experiment some, bringing out their first glitter impregnated finishes. The Rose Quartz appears to have none of that, relying instead on its delicate pink features to capture the eye. Keep reading to learn all about this new model’s secrets.

Following this past January’s announcement for Edelstein Rose Quartz, people immediately began envisioning what the matching fountain pen would look like. There was a fervor that I haven’t quite seen with past releases, prompting some to go so far as to design their own mock-ups, hoping that Pelikan might take notice. Regardless of whatever else we might think about the pen, having now seen it in the flesh so to speak, I believe that the resin is actually a fair representation of the ink. While we have had a few variations of blue, this is the first Pink hued pen to grace not only this line, but the Classic series in general (excluding 1994’s Deutsche Telekom which was more magenta anyhow). Pelikan’s sales literature has this to say;

“In color psychology, the shade rosé stands for romance and caring. With this emotional background, this ink color is a perfect match for personal, handwritten messages. The natural gemstone rose quartz varies in its color shades between very soft pink and intense rosé, and the color tone of the M205 Rose Quartz is finely tuned to this range of rosé. In order to let the soft-pink color appear pure, the interior components are light-colored. The velvet-matte material composition allows a view on the plunger mechanism and the ink level.”

The M205 Rose Quartz is a demonstrator whose material has more of a matte finish which gives it an almost frosted appearance. Pelikan once again leaves the shimmer effect out, last seen in 2021’s Golden Beryl. The piston mechanism is lightly colored and really does a good job of blending in with its surroundings in a very unobtrusive way. By virtue of it being an M205, it comes with chromium plated trim giving the furniture a silver colored appearance. That furniture consists of a single cap band, a beak clip, and a single ring at the piston knob. Credit where credit is due, the crown clip nut is once again plated to match the rest of the trim, a glaring omission the marred the last few M205 releases. In keeping with the lighter colored innards, the cap top appears to be made from white resin, featuring the company’s single chick logo screened in silver. The M205 comes standard with a polished, un-plated stainless steel nib. Available widths from the factory include EF, F, M, and B. Of course, as is the case with all demonstrators, the reservoir’s remaining ink level will be easily ascertained at a glance though it also leaves the pen vulnerable to staining.

The M205 Rose Quartz will be released as a special edition, limited to some unspecified quantity but there should be enough for everyone who is looking to get their hands on one. It’s just that they won’t be produced indefinitely. I believe that every edition to date has had a matching K205/K200 ballpoint available for purchase in the same finish for those who like pen sets. According to the sales brochure, “For the first time, this series is available exclusively as a piston fountain pen only.” That’s sure to be a disappointment to those who like to pair writing implements but I’m guessing that was likely a necessary cost cutting measure. What’s not going away is the availability of a gift set that combines the fountain pen and its namesake ink.  While US pricing remains to be seen, overseas vendors are likely to offer this one between $135 and $155 depending on where you shop (excluding VAT). The M205 Apatite sold for $224 at retail in the USA last year so expect the Rose Quartz to come in a few dollars North of that figure. The gift set looks to be offered between $155 and $180 when purchased overseas. Both the stand alone fountain pen and gift set will be available in September, putting this release ahead of the Glauco Cambon M600.

I think that Pelikan did a really good job here of getting the pink just right. I like the shade and applaud the restraint to not add the shimmer effect to this one. I think that would have been a bridge too far given the color. Going with a matte finish also seems smart to knock down some of the brightness that pink can have. The interior elements work really well, being both on display but also blending into the background. Not quite Kudos for bringing the plated crown clip nut back as that is something that should never have been omitted in the first place, but it is nice to see it included here (hopefully that’s not another misprint with the pre-release advertising à la the Petrol Marbled). The white cap top is a little jarring to me but, unless they were going to make the inner cap of the same translucent pink, there really was no other choice. I’m a doctor and not well versed in color theory, but I had always envisioned this one as being an M200 since pink is a shade that is nicely complimented by gold accents. It’s taking a minute for the silver colored trim to win me over. I kind of see what they did here though with the warmer pink tone and cooler silver tone lending both a certain intensity and aesthetic that surprisingly works. The proof will be in the pudding, and we will simply have to await some real world photos in different lighting scenarios before we can fully judge this one. I suspect that it will sell well given the pent up anticipation. What do you think?  Does the M205 Rose Quartz live up to expectations or does it somehow fall short? What has been your favorite release in the series so far? Finally, will you be adding this one to your flock or are you saving your pennies for that sexy new M600? I look forward to you sharing your thoughts in the comments section below.

Left to right: M205 Amethyst (2015), M205 Aquamarine (2016), M200 Smoky Quartz (2017), M205 Olivine (2018), M205 Star Ruby (2019), M205 Moonstone (2020), M200 Golden Beryl (2021), and M205 Apatite (2022)