Alexandrite vs Ionian
Alexandrite and Ionian come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Alexandrite belongs to the green family and Ionian to the blue family. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 22 vs 20 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Both share a cool character, which means they'll respond to light and surrounding materials in similar ways. ΔE 8.9 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Alexandrite vs Ionian in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Alexandrite and Ionian are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
Color Details
Alexandrite vs Ionian Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Alexandrite on one side and Ionian on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.