Rare Gray vs Vesper Violet
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Hue-wise, Rare Gray belongs to the grey family and Vesper Violet to the blue-grey family. Rare Gray (LRV 38) reflects noticeably more light than Vesper Violet (LRV 35), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Rare Gray runs neutral while Vesper Violet is decidedly cool, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 16.3, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Rare Gray vs Vesper Violet in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Rare Gray and Vesper Violet in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Vesper Violet brings more warmth to the space, while Rare Gray keeps things cooler and crisper.
Color Details
Rare Gray vs Vesper Violet Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Rare Gray on one side and Vesper Violet 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.
More Rare Gray comparisons
See how Rare Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 38, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 38), opening up a space where Rare Gray encloses it.
Rare Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 38 vs 30), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 38), opening up a space where Rare Gray encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 38, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
A 11-point LRV gap (38 vs 27) makes Rare Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
French Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 43 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 55 vs 38, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
A 6-point LRV gap (44 vs 38) makes Hardwick White the marginally brighter of the two.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 38), opening up a space where Rare Gray encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 38, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 38, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 38 vs 12, Rare Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 38, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 38 vs 12, Rare Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (45 vs 38) makes Saybrook Sage the marginally brighter of the two.
Rare Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 38 vs 31), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Rare Gray reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.
Rare Gray reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 24), opening up a space where Cement grey encloses it.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 38), opening up a space where Rare Gray encloses it.