Happy anniversary, Graf von Faber-Castell!

The new Elemento collection from Graf von Faber-Castell was created in honor of the company's 250th anniversary. It uses cross-grain cut olive wood inlaid on the barrel--six individual pieces, or "elements." The wood is lacquered and hand polished several times to achieve a gorgeous finish and to bring out the interesting grain of the wood; the cap and trim are in silver. Wood is also used on the end caps of the various modes: fountain pen (with 18-karat gold bi-color nib in fine, medium and broad sizes), rollerball, ballpoint and multi-purpose pen.  Each comes in a wood presentation case. The fountain pen is priced at $1,495; the rollerball, $995; and ballpoint, $895. The multi-purpose pen is available with the set of four pens, priced at $4,195. A set of two pens, fountain pen and ballpoint, is also available and priced at $2,295. Well done, and happy anniversary to you!

Anello is Italian for "ring"

Graf von Faber-Castell is introducing the Classic Anello in titanium, each segment accented by platinum-plated rings. The matte finish of the titanium is highlighted by the gleam of the platinum plate--but the feel in the hand is seamless. The pen is available as a cartridge- or converter-filled fountain pen with a bi-colored 18-karat gold nib, a rollerball pen, a ballpoint and a pencil with an eraser. Great news: six nib sizes are available for the fountain pen! The Classic Anello Titanium is priced from $395-$595.