We love to adorn our hands with jewels, so extending the sparkle to our nails is a natural next step. Gem nail designs can range from subtle and demure to bold and chunky. It all depends on the size, number, and color of your gems.
“Gems are a way to step up the glam to another level,” says celebrity nail artist Sarah Chue. Nail artist Mazz Hanna adds that they “enhance a basic look and add a unique dimension to your nail art.”
If you’re doing your gem mani yourself, there are a few different ways to adhere them. “It’s easiest to encapsulate the gems with a thick topcoat,” says Hanna. However, for longer-lasting results, she says to consider sealing the gems in with a builder gel. This not only provides a smoother finish to your manicure but also ensures your nail gems can last for two weeks or more.” Chue is a fan of Makartt Rhinestone Glue ($6) for smaller gems and IBD Hard Gel ($q9) for larger gems. Both are gel-based and require a UV or LED light to cure.
Ahead, find 10 gem nail looks to recreate.
Cabouchon
Celebrity nail stylist Gina Edwards created this gorgeous look for Sergio Hudson’s fall 2024 show using KISS press-ons as the base. It features inlaid stones surrounded by gold, reminiscent of a cabochon ring. “This is a glamorous, embellished nail look,” says Edwards. “We have ’70s throwback glam — think about Diane Carroll, Diana Ross. Those were the two women that Sergio was inspired by for this collection.”
Shimmer and Shine
“This was done for Priah Ferguson, attending a Summer Miu Miu event,” says Chue. “We used the gems [play off of] her studded dress which tied in beautifully.”
Strawberry Quartz
“This was my first time using ORLY Builder in a Bottle ($29) to adhere gems to my nails,” says Hanna. “It worked like a dream and ever since then, this is how I have been adhering 3D nail art to my nails.”
Pinks and Purples
This nail tip design features a cluster of different-sized pink, purple, and silver gems on a milky white base. It yields a fun, hyper-feminine look.
Color Dots
This colorful design blends gems with aura-like two-toned dots. The two elements come together to create a super funky look.
Aura Accents
A peach-to-nude aura nail serves as the base of this design. Atop the aura sit silver gems and cream stars and hearts.
Cotton Candy Bling
This sweet aura design features a pink base with a blue center and tiny silver gems. It’s giving big cotton candy energy.
Like a Ring
One nail in this sparkle-laden look features a line of silver nail foil with a silver gem in the middle, creating what looks like a mini ring on the nail.
All Silver
This silver manicure was inspired by Olivia Rodrigo’s song “good 4 u.” It features a silver shimmer French tip accented by silver gems and a nail that reads “You Look Good.”
At the Base
This milky manicure features a cluster of gems at the base of each index finder. The nails are laid in a super artful way for an intricate look.
Unicorn Tip
This nail look features lilac French tips and one gem-encrusted tip for a whimsical, unicorn vibe. The gem tip blends pearls and gems of different sizes for an intentionally chaotic finish.
