Precious Gem Nails Turn Up the Drama On Your Mani

They’re sparkling, expensive and elegant, and now gemstones are getting the manicure treatment as precious gem nails continue to grow in popularity. These nails pack all the dynamic and light-catching punch of a good glitter, while retaining the sophistication of a diamond. Be a cut above the rest with this can’t-beat mani inspo for your next jewel-inspired look.

What are Precious Gem Nails?

There are two main factors in ‘nailing’ the precious gem nails trend. The first is color. Matching the deep blue of a sapphire or the soft pastel of a rose quartz is the main way you’ll be able to tell your mani is precious gem-inspired. But that’s not all there is to this trend. You also need the right finish. Choose from glossy, velvet, marbled or holographic, depending on what gemstone you’re looking to capture. Reflective, holographic stones like opals or pearls inspire a smooth satin finish, where a bolder, shimmery velvet finish brings to mind a cut gem like an emerald or ruby.

Ultimately, the idea is to give your nails dimension. Consider the way stones like amethyst and amber catch the light versus the more matte jade or turquoise—it’s not a one-size-fits-all look. That is what makes precious gem nails so compelling, there are so many shades, textures and finishes available to nail anything from a signature ruby to a more off-beat tourmaline.

The Top Nail Trends

The summer manicure is back with a vengeance, and we’ve seen dozens of trendy nail art looks soar to the front of our for you pages so far this season. From deep jammy nails to bright solar nails, these micro-trends are an excellent way to stretch your creative wings and have some fun. We’ve seen everything from the rise of nail concealers for the rich girl manicure to the adorable match-your-mani-to-your-Stanley trend take over. So, it’s no surprise that something as elegant and glamorous as precious gem nails would follow suit.

How to get Precious Gem Nails

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Opal

Purple, iridescent and shimmery, this polish is the perfect way to emulate the holographic light of a rainbow hue-filled opal.

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Pearl

A soft champagne shade with just enough reflecting shine to mimic the coveted pearl. The creamy color of this polish draws to mind the lustrous quality of saltwater pearls.

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Tourmaline

A multi-colored crystal known for its mesmerizing fades from brown to pink and even green, tourmaline is the birthstone for October and represents insight and creativity. This set of chromatic nails mirrors the shifting, multi-colored quality of this precious gem.

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Sapphire

A velvet finish is an excellent way to embody the depth of a precious stone, and sapphire is the perfect example. This set doesn’t just have the perfect color for this look, but it also adds depth through its unique texture.

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Jade

This press-on manicure from OPI combines a glossy sheen with the ideal shade of green to create a jade manicure. Prized in jewelry and sculpting, jade can range from pastel tones to bolder and richer greens.

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Prasiolite

Naturally a rare stone, prasiolite is a green variety of quartz that comes in a muted pastel green. The velvet finish of this set from Nail Reformation is the ideal way to get this super rare stone right on your nails.

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Emerald

Glamorous by nature, the emerald is one of the most precious gemstones we have. And getting it perfect in a nail design can be difficult. That’s why we love this emerald French tip set that delivers just the right amount of that gorgeously deep color.

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Ruby

Rich and luxurious, the ruby is the embodiment of fire, symbolizing passion. This set from Static Nails doesn’t just get the color perfect, but it also adds a velvety gloss finish for impact.

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Amethyst

This set uses a marbling technique to emulate the refracting inner depth of a gemstone, leaving you with a stunning manicure that looks like it was pulled right from a geode.

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Rose Quartz

Dusky rose is all the rage again, and this polish by Mooncat has a velvet finish to take this color from “gorgeous” to “gemstone.”

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Turquoise

A good glossy polish is all you need to recreate a turquoise effect! We love how this press-on set adds a touch of gold for eye-catching interest.