Elemental iron is a lustrous gray metal. This coloration is due to the metallic luster that iron exhibits, which is a characteristic of all metals. The specific shade of gray can vary slightly depending on the purity of the iron and the presence of impurities. Pure iron, for instance, tends to have a lighter gray color, while impure iron may appear darker. This coloration is consistent with the data from various scientific sources, which describe elemental iron as having a metallic gray appearance.