Choosing fountain pen inks gets tricky when two samples offer different named colors but sit close together in price. Diamine Marie Rose and Troublemaker Abalone are not separated by a complicated feature list: the decision comes down to which color name matches your project and whether the lower listed price matters more.
Quick verdict
Choose Diamine Marie Rose when that specific ink color is the reason you are shopping. Choose Troublemaker Abalone when Abalone is your target or when you want the lower-priced sample. The format is effectively a tie: each is listed as a 3mL sample in a mini plastic bottle.
At a glance
| Sample | Listed price | Ink color | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamine Marie Rose | USD 4.25 | Marie Rose | 3mL mini plastic bottle |
| Troublemaker Abalone | USD 3.69 | Abalone | 3mL mini plastic bottle |
The listed prices are $0.56 apart, so this is a small price decision rather than a dramatic split. Both samples are marked new and use ink as the listed material.
Where each one wins
Diamine Marie Rose wins when color is the brief
This is the direct choice for a shopper who already has Marie Rose in mind. The title and ink-color attribute point to the same named shade, making the selection straightforward. Its limitation is the listed price: it is the higher-priced sample in this comparison.
Troublemaker Abalone wins when price leads
Troublemaker Abalone is the clear pick for an Abalone color target and the lower listed price. It also lists Canada as its country of origin, which may help shoppers distinguishing between samples by origin. Its limitation is fit for purpose: it is not the direct match for someone specifically seeking Marie Rose.
Product notes
Diamine Marie Rose
Diamine Marie Rose is the more straightforward choice for a shopper searching for that exact color name. The title identifies a fountain pen ink sample, and the matching ink-color detail keeps the selection focused rather than asking you to interpret a broad color family. Its practical limitation is price: at USD 4.25, it is the higher-priced option here. The description also notes that the visible color may vary slightly because of lighting and screen differences, so the name is a better basis for choosing it than an assumed on-screen shade. Select it when Marie Rose is the color you want; choose the other sample when a lower listed price or Abalone is more important.
Troublemaker Abalone
Troublemaker Abalone makes the better fit when the Abalone color name is the deciding detail. Its listed attributes identify Abalone as the ink color and Canada as the country of origin, giving the sample a clear point of distinction beyond its title. The lower listed price is another concrete reason to choose it in this matchup. Its limitation is color fit: shoppers specifically looking for Marie Rose will not get that named target here. The description likewise cautions that lighting and screens can slightly affect how the color appears. Pick Troublemaker Abalone for the Abalone target or the lower price; pick Diamine Marie Rose when the other named color is the priority.
Final choice by use case
- For a Marie Rose color target: choose Diamine Marie Rose.
- For an Abalone color target: choose Troublemaker Abalone.
- For the lower listed price: choose Troublemaker Abalone.
- For the same sample format: either works, since both are listed as 3mL mini plastic bottles.
There is no need to overcomplicate this head-to-head. Match the ink name to your intended color first, then use the $0.56 price difference as the tiebreaker.
