Yes THIS IS THE SAME BEAD!
When I receive these beads they are as you see on the left and the mala on the right is from my personal collection and is worn daily. This is the height of the darkness and gloss!
Due to the oils in your skin and your use of the beads in meditation they will gradually darken and the oils will permeate the seed.
The essence of your mantra, practice, and prayers permeate the seed and stay within the beads.
The significance of the Lotus Flower: The lotus flower symbolizes spiritual knowledge and power. The lotus grows out of mud, unfolds into a beautiful flower, lives in water all the time but is never wetted by it. This conveys the idea that a spiritual aspirant, while living in the world, should remain unaffected by the worldly attractions and should work towards spiritual unfoldment.
Blessings.