Orders open mid-November
Jewel Tone Paint Colours
Deep, saturated colour that glows rather than shouts.
Jewel tones are deep, saturated colours named after gemstones: emerald and jade greens, sapphire and turquoise blues, ruby and garnet reds, amethyst purples and citrine yellows. They are moodier versions of brighter colours, and many are underscored with a hint of black. They bring richness and depth, and they need confident light: in a dim room they can read almost black.
At a glance
- Jewel tones are deep and saturated, never neon or acidic.
- Use them all over to drench, or as accents against neutrals.
- They need good light; in dim rooms they deepen towards black.
- Velvets, brass and dark timber make jewel tones glow.
- Pair jewel tones with each other, or offset them with soft neutrals.
Emerald, sapphire and teal
Rich greens and blues for living rooms and studies.
Deep greens and blues are the easiest jewel tones to live with. They suit living rooms, dining rooms, studies and kitchen islands, and they pair beautifully with brass, walnut and leather.
Ruby, garnet and amethyst
Warm reds and purples for dining rooms and snugs.
Deep reds and purples are warm and enveloping, at their best in rooms used in the evening. Offset a rich red with a muted linen or greige, or pair garnet red with deep emerald.
Citrine and mustard
Golden accents that lift deep blues and greens.
Golden mustard counts as a jewel tone too. It is a natural accent against sapphire and emerald, on a door, a radiator or a piece of furniture.
How to use jewel tones without overwhelming a room
Drench boldly, or accent within the 60-30-10 rule.
Either commit, drenching walls and woodwork in one jewel tone for a jewel-box effect, or use jewel colours as the 30% and 10% against a soft neutral backdrop. Mixed textures such as velvet, silk and polished metal enhance them, and good lamp light keeps them glowing in the evening.
Sample it the way we would
Step 1
Paint your peel-and-sticks
Each £5.99 sample comes with three paintable peel-and-sticks. Give them two coats and let them dry fully.
Step 2
Stick them around the room
Put them on two or three walls, including the wall opposite the window, at eye level and lower down.
Step 3
Live with them for a day or two
Look in the morning, the afternoon and under your evening lamps. Move them around until you are sure.
Your questions, answered
What are jewel tones?
Deep, saturated colours named after gemstones, such as emerald, sapphire, ruby and amethyst.
Do jewel tones work in small rooms?
Yes, especially drenched over walls and woodwork, though dim rooms make them read darker.
What goes with jewel tones?
Other jewel tones, soft neutrals, brass, dark timber and rich textures such as velvet.