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Caran d Ache Pens

About Caran D'Ache Pens


Located in Geneva since its inception in 1915, the Maison is committed to creating and developing writing and drawing instruments combining the finest materials with the most advanced, innovative skills - including some that are extremely rare, such as the exceptional art of authentic Chinese lacquer done by hand in the ancestral manner.

Caran d'Ache comes from the word "karandash" that is the Russian term for "pencil" and in turn comes from the Turkish root "kara tash" which refers to black stone - the origins of graphite.

This natural material found in the mountains of Switzerland gave rise to the first Swiss pencil factory set up in Geneva in 1915. Nine years later, in the hands of its founder, the visionary Arnold Schweitzer, it took the name of the famous illustrator became known as Caran d'Ache.

Today, and ever since the creation of the Maison in 1915, all Caran d'Ache products have been produced in its Geneva workshops.

Since its beginnings at the dawn of the 20th century, when the Swiss watchmaking and jewellery industries were enjoying major growth, Caran d'Ache Pens, the one and only manufacturer of writing and drawing instruments on Swiss soil, has been part of this same lineage of excellence, technical quality and craftsmanship. Today, it embodies the same high quality standards, while fostering continuous innovation and improvement.

Every Caran d'Ache Pen is subject to the strictest quality controls, applied both to raw materials and their sources, as well as to the processes used by the Maison. This approach is an essential component of the Swiss Made quality label and the control system in place ensures compliance with the strictest criteria and standards.

Colour pencils and inks are systematically tested for their lightfastness, while fountain pen nibs and ballpoint or roller pen tips are checked in terms of their priming quality and writing flow. Individual controls are conducted regularly in accordance with requirements and product types.

Stringent regulatory requirements are applied to all Caran d'Ache Pens to ensure safe use, even by our youngest customers.

The work of men and women and special attention devoted to environmentally responsible processes are key values of the Maison and daily contribute to maintaining its high quality and the reputation of the Swiss Made label.