Gentian
SW 6817 · #6572A5 · LRV 18 — cool blue tone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Nocturne Shade5
- 2Ripe Berry10
- 3Gentian18
- 4Gothic Purple24
- 5Wisteria48
What Color Is Gentian, Really?
Gentian reads as a cool blue tone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Sherwin-Williams SW 6817 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Gentian
Gentian works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Purples range from restful (bedrooms) to dramatic (powder rooms) depending on depth.
How Lighting Changes Gentian
With an LRV of 18, Gentian is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Its blue undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Gentian are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Sherwin-Williams SW 6817 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behr | Vintage630F-5 · Behr | 1.9 | 19 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | WaterdropCC-902 · Benjamin Moore | 4.9 | 22 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Blue BatikV074-5 · Valspar | 2.1 | 16 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | King's RobePPG1245-6 · PPG / Glidden | 1.7 | 18 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Noble Blue50BB 18/216 · Glidden | 2.4 | 18 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Indi-Blue141-6DB · Dutch Boy | 1.9 | 16 | Color page → |
Similar Sherwin-Williams Colors
The nearest shades to Gentian within Sherwin-Williams's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #6572A5 in HSL space. Pair Gentian with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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