There's just something impossibly glamorous about a sparkling, shimmering manicure. Even though glittery polish and perfectly placed faux diamonds might evoke images of the holiday season—especially New Year's Eve—high-shine nails are a great way to add a little party to your fingertips all year round.
Before you add a million gemstones to whatever manicure you can think of, though, check out 25 of our favorite diamond manicures. Our picks include looks that play with gemstones of all sizes and ultra-high-shine glitter polishes that provide a similar shimmering diamond effect. By the end of this story, you're bound to find nailspo for your own festive fingernails.
Regal Gemstone Manicure
Hoping for as much glam as possible? This black manicure topped with large gemstones in every color is a gorgeous, over-the-top option.
Matte Gold French Tips
You can never go wrong with a French manicure. The classic nail art idea is even better when painted in matte gold polish and topped off with sparkling gemstones.
Gemstone Cutout Nails
Upon first glance, you might be wondering what's going on with this mani, given all its random negative space shapes. Believe it or not, this crystal-adorned set was inspired by a trendy shirt the artist saw on a stylist's IG Story.
Wavy Diamond Nails
Here's a simple way to create a very stylish set: Paint a wavy white border along the sides of each nail and place a tiny diamond at each cuticle. Don't forget the top coat to seal everything in.
Shimmering Snowflake Nails
This nail art might not technically include gemstones, but thanks to the finest, densest silver glitter and perfectly painted white snowflakes, it seems like it does.
Twinkling French Tips
If you prefer a more subtle set, a trio of gemstones is the perfect way to add a little glimmer to a classic design (such as a French mani). To get yours to stick, place them on top of a wet top coat or use tiny dots of nail glue to secure them in place.
Pistachio Gemstone Nails
Prefer more color on your nails? This pale green pistachio manicure will make you swoon. To recreate the look, start with a pistachio base. Then, using a fine-lining brush, paint thin swirls atop each nail. Finish with top coat and a single gem per nail.
Dreamy Kira Kira Nails
Hoping to harness all the crystal energy in the new year? Start off on the most cosmic foot with this rose quartz-inspired gemstone mani.
Shimmering Cuticles
Here's another way to make high-shine silver glitter work for you. A thin, crisp swatch along each cuticle makes an eye-catching statement.
Emerald-Cut Mani
While nail diamonds are relatively easy to find, nail emeralds—though equally glamorous—are less widespread. The EBANKU 3120 Pcs Green Nail Art Rhinestone Kit ($12) is a great option.
Multicolor Gemstone Mani
How pretty is this almond-shaped French mani topped with colorful gems? To achieve picture-perfect tips like these, use nail stickers like the Blulu 648 Pieces French Manicure Nail Sticker Strips ($6). Just make sure not to remove them until your polish has dried, as that ensures the cleanest removal.
Glitter x Gemstones
You can always combine high-shine glitter and gemstones. Here, you can see how holographic gems make quite a statement.
Gemstone Stiletto
These stiletto nails are giving Sailor Moon vibes in all the best ways. The gems make this nail art look out of this world.
Gemstone Edges
If you're all about lining your cuticles but prefer gems over glitter polish, take this look for a spin.
Glittering Abstracts
Looking for a classic New Year's Eve nail art idea? Combine ultra-sparkly silver glitter with jet-black polish.
Sparkling Stars
For a shimmering diamond effect sans gemstones, check out this star-shaped nail art. With a mixture of negative spaces and filled-in stars, this nail look is nothing short of head-turning.
Gemstone Florals
There are so many ways to arrange gemstones—as evidenced by this flower-shaped motif that has us swooning.
Megawatt Lavender
For more colorful diamond nail art, swap your neutral polish for a pretty purple hue paired with monochromatic glitter.
Bejeweled Mani
Gemstones might be most popular in clear, but they exist in every color of the rainbow. So if you love a bold, colorful nail look, you can achieve it with nail gems.
Crystal Accents
This may be a minimalist nail look in terms of polish, but the vertical gemstone placement makes it look downright regal.
Iridescent French Tips
Glazed donut nails might have been the single most popular nail trend of 2022 (and trust us, there were many). Why not embrace it with a holo twist topped off with gemstones?
Disco Nails
Disco balls are everywhere these days—so you might as well add them to your nails. Start with a glitter base and layer it with holographic silver sequins, then top off the look with a high-shine top coat.
Glitter Tips
New Year's Eve is a time for magic, celebration, and love, so this sparkling star-scattered French tip idea fits right in.
Minimalist Diamond Nails
If you typically opt for minimalist nail art ideas, you can still hop on the diamond nail train. A milky white base topped off with the daintiest gemstone stars will look simple yet stunning.
Snow-Dipped Diamond Nails
This sparkling nail look reminds us of snow caps. Can't you picture this set wrapped around a piping-hot beverage?
