This is just a test strip to show some colors against each other for a commissioner.

At top we have (left to right):
standard aluminum
brown anodized aluminum
black anodized aluminum

At bottom we have:
brushed aluminum
jewelers' brass
brown anodized aluminum

The brushed aluminum will eventually replace the standard aluminum. The Ring Lord (the company that makes the scales and other supplies most maillers around use) has decided to switch what they'll be manufacturing. The new brushed stuff seems fine. It's got an interesting texture. It seems like it will be a little less lustrous than the standard aluminum, more clean-looking, but it might show scratches more. It's also a bit thinner than the old stuff, though my initial impression from fiddling with it is it seems the alloy is stiffer?

Oh well. Here's a test for the person for whom it's relevant.