I just got this and the picture does not do it justice. It looks like a butterfly at first--but it's really a cross. When looking at the picture, the right branch of the cross is part of the flap folds over and closes with a magnetic enclosure--like the shape of Y on its side. It's a nice touch. And the last paperblank I had that was the book of kells one, did not have a solid binding. This one has a lay flat binding that has the same design on it but it's outlined in purple. The design and little stone-like objects on the front won't be coming off. It looks like it's raised with a glue to get the various "precious stone" effects--very nicely done. And the pocket i the back and the paper is the same thickness as the other paperblanks from this series. I use pilot gel ink and the colored Sarsa packs (best ever because it dries quickly). The ribbon is a bright orange, which I personally love but it might have been better suited in rich purple. Awesome and worth every bit of 20$ to enjoy writing in. You won't regret purchasing this but you gotta like "shiny, ornate" things to really enjoy writing in this journal. I hope they keep making them!