Benjamin Moore Oystershell (0864) – A Color Science Review & Real-Life Guide
Looking for a soft, elevated neutral that’s flexible, modern, and endlessly usable—but never boring or basic? Say hello to Benjamin Moore’s Oystershell (0864). This light, whispery hue delivers subtle character without drama, and best of all—it’s easy to predict and use once you understand its color DNA.
🧠 This review is rooted in measurable color data—not subjective takes—so you can stop guessing and start designing with confidence.
Ready to make color easy?
🧪 Learn how color science enables you to Tailor Color inside The Four Pillars of Color
📊 Want to look up the data values for any paint color? Use The Paint Color DNA Table
What Color Is Oystershell?
Oystershell is often called a soft gray or greige, but its actual identity is far more interesting—and reliable. Here’s the breakdown from its color data profile:
CIELAB Lightness (L): 85.2
Chroma (C): 3.2
Hue Angle (h°): 133°
Hue Family (Munsell): GY (Green-Yellow)
Value: 8.4
Chroma (Munsell): 0.38
LRV: 68.9
HEX: #D5D9D3
This means Oystershell is a light, low-chroma color that sits firmly in the Green-Yellow hue family, leaning toward the cool side of that spectrum. It behaves like a refined, whisper-soft neutral with subtle color identity that won’t take over a room—but also won’t fall flat.
Is Oystershell Warm or Cool?
Great question—and the answer is based on where it lives on the color wheel, not on vague impressions.
📍 Oystershell falls on the cool side of the Green-Yellow hue family, clocking in at a 133° hue angle.
You can see this placement clearly on the Color Strategist Color Wheel. Even though the Green-Yellow family is traditionally labeled “warm,” hue families span a range—and not every member behaves the same. Oystershell is part of that cooler slice.
Does Oystershell Have Undertones?
Let’s be clear: colors don’t have undertones—at least not in any factual or measurable way.
What people often call “undertones” are really the result of:
The lighting environment
Adjacent surfaces and colors
The individual observer’s perception
So instead of hunting for subjective “undertones,” look at the actual color data. Oystershell’s hue angle tells you it belongs to the Green-Yellow family. That’s a measurable, repeatable fact—not an opinion.
💡 Color Expert Insider Tip
We know that low chroma colors in the Green-Yellow hue family can shift and appear bluish in certain environments. This isn’t the same as so-called “blue undertones”—it’s about how color interacts with light and surroundings.
👉 Depending on the quality and character of light, and what’s around it, Oystershell has the potential to:
Show up with a subtle bluish appearance
Or let the greenish part of its DNA come forward
This is something I teach in detail inside The Four Pillars of Color.
How Reflective Is Oystershell?
With an LRV of 68.9, Oystershell reflects more light back in to the space than it absorbs. It contributes to brightening a room while staying grounded and sophisticated. It reflects plenty of light, which means it will keep spaces feeling open and airy without being stark.
What Colors Coordinate with Oystershell?
Because of its cool, low-chroma profile, Oystershell is a team player that works with a wide range of finishes and accents:
Crisp whites for trim: Try BM Chantilly Lace or Simply White
Deeper muted greens or gray-blues: Like BM October Mist
Natural textures: White oak, linen, stone, concrete
Earthy companions: Mushroomy- taupes, soft clay tones, bronze and aged brass
It’s especially compatible with materials that share a cool or neutral green-to-yellow base in their color DNA.
Where Does Oystershell Work Best?
✅ Living Rooms – balances both warm woods and cool stone
✅ Bedrooms – serene, but never sterile
✅ Kitchens – a clean alternative to white that’s still light
✅ Bathrooms – pairs well with tile and metal fixtures
✅ Exteriors – works for body or trim in the right natural light
Final Take: Is Oystershell a Good Neutral?
Absolutely. Oystershell is what we call a tailored neutral—light, clean, and reliable. With its Green-Yellow base, cool tilt, and low chroma, it will bring subtle color complexity and polish to your palette.
Provided you test carefully, this is a color you can build a whole home palette around—confidently. Click to get your Samplize Sample.
Oystershell 864 Hue Family
In context of its Hue Family neighborhood, 8 GY (Green-Yellow), on The Color Strategist Color Wheel. The pink arrows point to where Oystershell 864 fits in among the other colors according to its Value 8.40 rounded to 8.38 and Chroma of 0.38 rounded to 0.50.
