Rock On: Gem Nails Are Spring 2026’s Sparkliest Nail Trend

“For me, gems and ornaments on the nails are like adding jewelry to the manicure,” Novakovic says, and the best part is, achieving this trend is easier than it looks. You just need the right materials—a base coat, polish of your choice, top coat, gems, and a UV lamp—to get to work.

“I think it’s really fun to scatter the gems: one near the cuticle, one at the end of the nail, adding a cluster of two or three gems to one of the nails,” Novakovic notes. To really make the gems last, she says, make sure they’re encapsulated in a drop of gel or polish, then apply a coat—or two!—of your preferred top coat.

And don’t worry, clean girls, there’s still room for you in this trend. “If you want a minimalist look, I’d say the nail should be perfectly prepped and manicured,” Novakovic recommends, adding that you can use either a clear polish, something translucent, or another shade of your choice.

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