jewel tone

plural jewel tones

1. Any of a range of deep, vibrant hues, reminiscent of various gemstones.

   Fabric, especially in frothy tones or deep jewel tones, is my favorite way to introduce sensuality into a room.

   2007, Elaine Ryan, Color Your Life: How to Design Your Home with Colors from Your Heart, page 76

   2 more examples

   The color of the room was green—a jewel tone in the carpet, pale green on the walls, a softly vivid green at the windows, draped across them in folds and swaths and great bows.

   1970, Stuart Jason, Black Lord, page 170

   Jewel tones can be muted, as in the deep, dusty purple of ripening grapes or plums, but more often they are expressed as bright, pure, clear, saturated hues: amethyst, magenta, lapis, and greens that range from emerald to jade to malachite and turquoise — with an occasional burst of golden topaz.

   2001, Vicki Ingham, editor, Waverly At Home with Color, page 74