Opus 88 Premium Shell Fountain Pen — Check, Black Mother of Pearl, Stripe

Shell, Shaped by a Difficult Process

The Opus 88 Premium Shell is a departure from the brand's usual resin demonstrators: a brass-bodied pen wrapped in genuine shell material — white mother of pearl and iridescent green abalone — put through a lengthy, technically demanding process to produce a finish that reads as luxurious rather than novelty. It was Opus 88's first entry into high-end pens, and it shows: a high-lacquer finish, a substantial brass barrel, and satin black resin detailing at the cap, grip, and end cap give the pen real heft and presence, while the shell inlay catches light differently with every angle you hold it at.

Three Patterns, One Material Family

• Check — a mosaic checkerboard of iridescent green abalone and white mother of pearl, alternating in a tight, structured grid
• Black Mother of Pearl — a smooth, continuous wrap of black mother of pearl running the full circumference of the barrel, understated and elegant rather than patterned
• Stripe — alternating vertical bands of white mother of pearl, green abalone, and black acrylic, running the length of the barrel

Because the shell material is a natural product, the exact pattern and color play will vary slightly from pen to pen — no two Premium Shell pens are ever quite identical.

Design & Construction

The Premium Shell's clip is deliberately irregular in shape, echoing the organic form of the shell material itself. The cap screws securely onto the end of the barrel when posted, and the pen is comfortably balanced for writing with or without the cap posted. Silver-toned metal trim frames the barrel throughout.

The pen ships in an Opus 88 gift box.

Filling System

Unlike most Opus 88 pens, the Premium Shell uses a standard cartridge/converter filling system rather than an eyedropper — a natural consequence of the brass barrel construction, which doesn't lend itself to the large internal reservoir an eyedropper pen needs. A converter is included for use with bottled ink, and the pen is also compatible with standard international cartridges.

Nib Options

The Premium Shell is fitted with a #6 JoWo stainless steel nib (also known as the #12 model), available in all three patterns in five widths:

• Extra Fine (EF) — a precise, controlled line for small handwriting
• Fine (F) — the most versatile everyday width
• Medium (M) — broader and wetter, good for shading inks
• Broad (B) — a bold, generous line
• 1.5 mm Stub — an italic-style grind adding crisp line variation to every stroke

Opus 88 nibs tend to write slightly broader than equivalent Japanese sizes — if you usually reach for a Pilot or Sailor fine, consider sizing down one step.

Manufacturer Warranty

Opus 88 fountain pens are backed by the manufacturer's warranty against defects. If your pen ever needs attention, bring it to our Gatineau boutique and we will coordinate directly with Opus 88 on your behalf. Full details, eligibility, and delivery options →

At Shosai

The Opus 88 Premium Shell is available at Shosai's Gatineau boutique and through our online store in all three patterns, serving the Ottawa–Gatineau National Capital Region and fountain pen enthusiasts across Canada. Each pen is inspected before shipping, and because the shell material is natural, we're happy to share photos of your specific pen before it ships if you'd like to see it first. If you have questions about nib selection, ink pairing, or converter filling, we are here to help.

Bilingual service — English and French.