Back in the early 2000s, LEGO tweaked the coloring of their gray pieces. Since the color change was minor adjustment rather than a major overhaul, many LEGO builders to this day cringe at the thought of distinguishing “old” grays from “new” grays–the colors just look so brickin’ similar! Still, the original gray bricks appear smokier in color while newer gray bricks boast a more a bluish tinge. The older, smokier gray bricks are called “light gray” and “dark gray.” The newer bluish gray bricks are called “light bluish gray” and “dark bluish gray.”
“Old” gray LEGO pieces are shown on the left, while “new” gray pieces are featured on the right for comparison.
Selling Gray LEGO Bricks on eBay
As you list gray bricks for sale on eBay, make sure to use the proper terminology. Sometimes sellers label pieces as “old light gray” or “classic light gray” in order to further emphasize the color difference to buyers. Although the “old” and “classic” labels are not official terms, using them can help avoid confusion from buyers.
Gray Confusion and Mislabeling
Ebay sellers, sometimes unwittingly, confuse the old grays with the new bluish grays. The best way to verify the color of a brick is to keep a sample light gray piece and a light bluish gray piece, and a sample dark gray piece and a dark bluish gray piece. Hold your brick of questionable color next to the sample light gray piece and then next to the sample light bluish gray piece. When you find a match, you’re in business! If your brick of questionable color didn’t match either sample brick because it was actually dark purple…well, you’re on your own there. Most people can already distinguish between dark purple and gray.
Lighting Matters When Sorting LEGO Grays
Your lighting can immensely help or hinder your gray sorting process. Natural light works best when trying to distinguish grays, so sort during day time whenever you can. Also, sorting grays in fluorescent lighting is easier than sorting in halogen lighting. Halogen light bulbs makes grays and bluish grays blend together. Sorting under halogen bulbs will not only make your sorting task harder, but will also increase the likelihood that you’ll misidentify the color.
Sorting gray LEGO pieces can kind of be a pain, but savvy buyers know the difference between the colors. If a buyer orders “dark gray” bricks and receives “dark bluish gray bricks”, he will likely complain. Accurately identifying your gray pieces will not only help avert headaches and potential negative feedback from buyers, but also reinforces your LEGO expertise and precision in the eyes of buyers to come.