Sesame Black vs Sesame Grey: what actually differs
Bottom line: Sesame Black (G654) has a near-black base with fine grain; Sesame Grey (G602) has a mid-grey base with coarser, more visible grain. Both work outdoors. Black suits dark facades and worktops, grey suits large bright paving. Judge colour first, finish second, price last.
Are they the same stone from the same quarry?
No, and the difference is not a shade adjustment. G654 has a near-black base with dense, fine black-and-white grain; G602 has a mid-grey base with larger, clearer grain. Both are granite, so hardness and water absorption sit in the same range. What separates them is hue and grain size, and that reads differently close up and from twenty metres away.
How do they differ on a paved surface?
Over large areas black absorbs light: it looks heavier, hides joints, and softens small setting errors. Grey reflects more light and exaggerates joints and colour variation, so cutting accuracy and laying pattern matter more. Plazas and car parks look cleaner in grey; courtyards and entrances feel more grounded in black.
Why is picking the cheaper one a bad shortcut?
Within one variety, the cost gap between 30 mm polished and 30 mm flamed is often wider than the gap between the two varieties. Dropping from 30 mm to 25 mm saves material, but cladding anchors and machining must be recalculated. Fix the specification first, then compare prices, or the numbers are not comparable.
Can the two be used together?
Yes, and often are: grey for the main paving, black for edging, steps and tree surrounds, so the colour break marks the boundary. Keep grain size consistent across the joint. Stone from one production run reads as a single edge; split runs can show a visible step in texture.
What if photos are not enough to decide?
Ask for a 100×100 mm sample of each, place them where the stone will actually go, and look once at midday and once at dusk. Granite shifts with light, and neither photos nor screens are reliable. Settle the sample first, then discuss quantity, thickness and port of delivery.