Each strip of abalone shell is carefully cut and then meticulously applied by hand. The shell is extremely brittle and delicate and great care must be taken not to break the piece as each is precisely placed.  Each blank is then cast in a protective resin casing enabling me to turn it slowly on the lathe.
This pen is plated with rhodium, an exquisite and valuable precious metal from the Rhodium chemical group. Rhodium's brilliance, hardness, and beauty make it a favorite of fine pen makers and collectors. Rhodium is extremely durable; it resists tarnish and is very resistant to scratching, and acids.
Rollerball pens use a wet ink that flows from the tip.  Writing with one is effortless compared to a ballpoint that rubs the dry type ink off from friction.
Since this pen has a wet ink supply the tip has a cap that covers it when not in use. On this style of pen the cap screws on over the tip. 
It is a refillable pen using standard refills from any office supply store.  Included is a fine point ceramic roller ball cartridge.