Caran d’Ache Luminance: my review after several months of use

Quick facts

• Brand: Caran d'Ache (Switzerland)
• Range: Luminance 6901
• Core: Very soft, ultra pigmented
• Number of colors: 100 in the full range
• Single pencil purchase: Yes
• Lightfastness: Exceptional (most colors rated 8 on the Blue Wool Scale)
• Case: Padded velvet-lined box, reinforced protection
• Price: Premium, around 4 to 5 euros per pencil when bought individually

What makes them unique: softness and pigmentation

The first thing you notice with Luminance is that you barely need to press. The core is so soft and so pigmented that color lays down on its own, with an effortless quality you do not find in other ranges. Even Polychromos, which are excellent, require a bit more effort to reach the same saturation level.

During long coloring sessions, this difference really shows. Your hand stays relaxed longer, your focus stays steady, and the final result is more even. For mystery coloring where you fill dozens of small sections one after another, this comfort matters.

The other major strength of Luminance is their exceptional lightfastness. Most colors are rated at the maximum on the Blue Wool Scale (8/8), meaning they will not fade over time. For colorings you want to frame or keep for the long term, this is a real argument.

How do they perform in coloring books?

I use them mainly on mystery coloring book pages since December 2024. On standard book paper, Luminance perform perfectly. The very soft core glides without catching or damaging the page, even on thinner paper.

For gradients, it is almost magical: by layering two close colors with a light hand, the transition happens naturally. And because the colors are so covering, the dark areas in mystery coloring books (which often need several passes) fill in much faster than with other pencils.

One thing to be aware of: the very soft core wears down faster than Polychromos. You will sharpen more often if you want a precise tip for fine details.

The velvet case and buying single pencils

The padded velvet-lined case is not just for looks: it genuinely protects the cores. Very soft cores are more fragile to internal shocks (when the box drops, cores can crack inside without it showing). The padded case reduces this risk significantly.

Like Polychromos, Luminance can be purchased individually. With only 100 colors in the range (vs 120 for Polychromos), the palette is slightly smaller, but every single color feels intentional. No unnecessary duplicates, every shade earns its place.

What I like

• Ultra soft core: color lays down without effort
• Exceptional pigmentation, saturated result in one pass
• Natural and fluid gradients
• Among the best lightfastness ratings on the market
• Very comfortable for long coloring sessions
• Padded velvet case, effective protection
• Can be purchased individually
• Swiss quality, carefully crafted

What to keep in mind

• Very high price (the most expensive in my top 3)
• Soft core wears down faster, more frequent sharpening needed
• Less precise than Polychromos for very fine details
• Smaller range: 100 colors (vs 120 for Polychromos)

Quick comparison with my other pencils

Vs Faber-Castell Polychromos (my number 2): Polychromos have a firmer core, ideal for precision and fine details. Luminance are softer, more pigmented and more comfortable, but less precise and more expensive. Both are excellent, it really comes down to priorities.

Vs Prismacolor (my number 3): Prismacolor are also very soft and more accessible in price, but their cores break often and wax bloom is a known issue. Luminance are far more reliable and hold up much better over time.

My final verdict

Caran d'Ache Luminance are the best colored pencils I have used to date. This is not a casual purchase, the price is clearly a barrier, but if you color regularly and want to take your results to the next level, they are worth every cent.

My suggestion: start by buying a few individual pencils in the colors you use most. It is the best way to test them without committing to a full set at once. Once you have tried them, going back is hard.