22 Jewel Tone Nails Ideas With Soft Pastel Tips

Jewel tone nails are deep, rich colors like emerald, sapphire, plum, burgundy and teal, and they are the shades I paint most when the weather gets cooler. A jewel color looks like a gemstone on your nail, so it feels dressy even when the design is simple. The newest twist I love is adding soft pastel tips, because a light mint, lilac or butter-yellow edge makes a dark color feel fresh instead of heavy. If you love deep shades in general, my nail polish colors guide is a good place to start.

In this post I share 22 jewel tone nails ideas that I picked for you, from glossy emerald and cobalt to plum, burgundy and teal. After the solid shades, I show you pastel tips and how to pair them with the deep colors, so you can mix the two at your next appointment. Each idea has one small tip from my own table. Pick the shade that matches your skin tone and your mood, and it will look great.

1. Glossy Emerald Nails

Emerald is the queen of jewel tone nails, and it looks rich on every skin tone. The deep green gets its shine from a thick, glossy top coat. I always use two thin coats, because one thick coat can look streaky. For more ideas, see green almond nail designs.

2. Emerald Cream Shade

A creamy emerald has a flat, even color, like green velvet. It hides small marks on the nail, so it is a good first jewel tone. Wipe the nail clean with alcohol before painting and the shade will go on smoothly. If you want to wear it with a lighter shade, try sage green nails on the other hand.

3. Emerald Almond Nails

Almond nails make emerald look long and graceful. The soft taper draws the eye along the finger, so the color feels elegant, not heavy. Leave a tiny gap around the cuticle so the polish does not lift. You can see this shape in more colors in almond glitter nail designs.

4. Emerald and Gold

Emerald with gold accents is a party favorite, because the gold makes the green glow. A thin gold line or a few foil flecks is enough. I place the gold away from the edges so it stays smooth. For more shine, check gold foil nails.

5. Emerald Cat-Eye

A wavy magnetic line across emerald short nails looks like light on a real gemstone. The line moves as your hand moves, so it looks alive. Ask your artist for a cat-eye gel, or use a magnet at home. More of this shine is in cat-eye nail designs.

6. Glossy Cobalt Almonds

Cobalt is a bright sapphire blue that makes your hands look fresh and bold. On almond nails, the color looks like a bright gem. I suggest it when someone wants a color, but not a loud one. You can browse more blues in cobalt blue nail designs.

7. Short Cobalt Nails

Short cobalt nails with a glossy finish are playful, and the color pops against skin. Short nails keep the strong color from feeling too much. They also stay tidy for weeks with a little cuticle oil. See more bright shades in blue nail designs.

8. Sapphire Blue Solid

A plain sapphire-blue set needs no art at all. The color is deep enough to carry the whole manicure by itself. Cure each coat fully so the shade stays even from nail to nail. The same blue looks great with the soft tips in blue French tip nails.

9. Cobalt French Tips

A cobalt French tip is a jewel tone used as an accent, and it is simple to wear. The tip color pops while the rest of the nail stays soft. This is where you can swap the blue for a pastel tip later, for a lighter feel. See more tips in colored French tip nails.

10. Deep Plum Swirl

Deep plum with a negative-space swirl looks like an amethyst with clear glass around it. The bare gaps keep the dark color light on the eye. I draw the swirl in one slow motion, so the curve stays smooth. For more plum shades, see plum nail designs.

11. Glossy Deep Plum

Glossy deep plum is a classic jewel tone for fall, and the shine feels so expensive. It is a purple that leans toward red, so it flatters warm and cool skin. Take your time at the top coat, because a thick, even layer gives the glass look. Read more about purples in purple nail designs.

12. Plum Almond Nails

Plum almond nails look moody and soft at once. The long almond shape adds drama, while the deep color keeps it classy. A matching cuticle oil in a berry scent is a fun extra. Seasonal fans will also like fall nail designs.

13. Burgundy Cat-Eye Tips

Burgundy cat-eye tips on a nude base mix a jewel color with a light background. The tip has a soft shimmer, like a ruby in the light. A nude base is the easiest way to wear a dark tip. More deep reds are in burgundy nail designs.

14. Sheer Pink Burgundy

A sheer pink base and burgundy tips is the best jewel tone idea for people who are shy about dark colors. The pink softens the look, and the tip adds the richness. I keep the tip thin, so it feels light on short nails. For shorter lengths, see short burgundy nails.

15. Pink and Burgundy Split

A split French uses pink and burgundy together on one nail, so it feels like a gem with two sides. It is a fun way to test a deep color next to a light one. Use a thin brush for the dividing line and keep your hand steady. You can read about the split look in pink French tip nails.

16. Teal Cat-Eye French

Teal cat-eye tips with a gold edge look like a peacock feather on a nude nail. The shine moves when you turn your hand. This is a good idea for someone who likes a jewel tone but wants a light base. Teal fans will enjoy turquoise blue nail designs.

17. Teal Blue Solid

Teal blue sits right between green and blue, so it feels unusual and special. It looks like a deep ocean stone and suits most skin tones. Apply it in thin layers, because teal can look streaky when it is thick. For a bright version, see mint blue nail designs.

18. Navy Teal Ombre

Navy, teal and burgundy blend on short nails like three gemstones in one hand. Each nail has its own color, but they all feel related. I fade the tips with a damp sponge to get the soft blend. For a cold-weather mood, look at winter nail designs.

19. Mint Pastel Tips

Now for the pastel tips: mint green almond nails with soft multicolor tips show how light colors can sit on a green base. The tips use lilac, peach and butter yellow, and they brighten the mint. You can copy the same idea on emerald for a deeper look. See the full palette in pastel nail designs.

20. Pastel Rainbow Tips

Pastel rainbow tips on a sheer nude base are a sweet way to try a different color on each finger. The pastel shades are soft, so they pair well with a jewel accent nail, such as emerald or plum. Keep the base sheer and let the tips do the talking. For more of this style, visit colored French tip nails.

21. Pastel Flower Tips

Pastel tips with tiny flowers on a nude base look like a spring garden on your fingers. The flowers are painted flat, so the set stays smooth. Use one jewel tone for the flower centers to tie the look to a deeper shade. Spring lovers will like spring nail designs.

22. Pastel Gradient French

A pastel gradient French fades softly from one pale color into the next, like a sunrise on the tip. This is the easiest way to add pastel to a jewel base: keep the nail deep, and fade the tip light. Sponge the colors in thin taps for a smooth blend. For similar fades, try ombre nail designs.

Final Thoughts

Jewel tone nails give you rich color and a polished look, and pastel tips add a fresh, light touch on top. Choose one deep shade like emerald, cobalt, plum, burgundy or teal, then decide if you want a plain gloss or a soft pastel edge. Two thin coats and a thick top coat will make any of these shades look like real gems.

Screenshot the idea you like and show it at your next visit, so your nail artist can match the shade. Let me know in the comments which jewel tone nails idea you will try first, and see nail colors for medium skin to find your best shade.