Minerals found in the earth show a wide variety of colors, and some of my favorite color names come from them: Cornelian red, amber, cinnabar and agate and tourmaline. From the dark gray category of mineral elements there is flint, graphite, magnetite, and pyrite. Some shades of gray are more brown, others fall in to the category of steely blue. Dark hues like this on the wall help ground a room and set the stage for coordination with many other colors. Our gallery of favorite grays shows how to use these colors by themselves or in combination with other hues, showing them off to their full potential:
![Gray-Collage A collage of 12 paints spills featuring different shades of gray.](https://www.behr.com/colorfullybehr/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Gray-Collage.jpg)
Perfect shades of gray: Warm to cool and light to dark varieties.
![GRAY-BEDROOM A global style bedroom featuring dark wood furniture.](https://www.behr.com/colorfullybehr/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/GRAY-BEDROOM.jpg)
This bedroom from our 2015 Trend brochure shows how to balance bold brights in bedding and decorative accents with a deep steely blue color.
![Dining-Room A modern-eclectic dining room featuring colors rug under dining table and blue accent wall.](https://www.behr.com/colorfullybehr/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Dining-Room.jpg)
A light silvery balances stronger colors on the wall and floor.
![Gray-and-Orange-Crib A gray tone-on-tone baby nursery with pop of mango color accents.](https://www.behr.com/colorfullybehr/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Gray-and-Orange-Crib.jpg)
A mixed gray palette has a calming effect in a nursery. Bright orange accents are a playful element.
Colorfully yours,
Erika