A writing implement made of metal and used for annotation, drawing, and ruling, which leaves a trace element on the writing surface. This mark varies in appearance according to the metal used (and any alloys present), with a ferrous point leaving a brown mark, silver and lead (lead point) leaving a silver-grey trace, and copper alloys sometimes leaving a grey-green mark. The marks produced are more discreet than those made with ink but more visible than those made with a hard point. Metal point increased in use from the eleventh century on. Instructions to artists and binders' notes were often executed in this medium.