There’s something timeless about gem-inspired hair color. Maybe it’s the way the shades catch the light. One moment, they are soft and wearable; in the next moment, they are impossibly vibrant. Whether you’re drawn to the warmth of Sunstoned, the serenity of Jaded, the intensity of Molten, or the mystery of Mystic Crystal, these shades are designed to unearth a little extra shine in your hair color.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to use our newest Gemtones Collection and how to get the best results from each shade.

Jaded

With soft blue-green tones reminiscent of jade stone, Jaded is a serene blue-green that feels fresh and airy. For the truest color payoff, hair should be evenly pre-lightened and toned beforehand.

Hair should be pre-lightened to a level 9 or 10. Since underlying warmth can affect the final tone, we recommend pre-toning beforehand using GDY’s Platinum DYEposit to create the ideal icy canvas. If you prefer a more green toned result, skip the pre-toning!

This shade is pastel, so it is not recommended for unlightened hair.

Sunstoned

Dreamy and effortlessly wearable, Sunstoned brings to mind the soft glow of a precious stone bathing in sunlight. This neutral peachy champagne shade has just enough warmth to feel cozy while still remaining soft and modern.

For best results, hair should be pre-lightened to a level 9 or 10. Unlike cooler pastel shades, such as Jaded, pre-toning is not necessary here. Your hair’s natural warmth actually helps enhance the peachy undertones and gives the color its dimensional finish. For best results, let this shade process for 45-55 minutes. 

This shade is pastel, so it is not recommended for unlightened hair.

Molten

Striking and vibrant like an unearthed mineral transforming in the heat of the moment, Molten is a rich cool-toned red with incredible depth and shine. This shade is especially versatile because it can work beautifully on both natural and pre-lightened hair. 

On natural levels 6 and 7, Molten creates a deep cherry cola effect that looks subtle indoors but comes alive in direct sunlight. On levels 8–10, the color appears much brighter and more vivid, giving you a ruby red finish with cool undertones and maximum vibrancy.

This shade can be used on natural and lightened hair, making it a great option for anyone with medium brown to light blonde hair. 

Mystic Crystal

Inspired by the mysterious and ethereal beauty of natural and rare crystal formations, Mystic Crystal is a rich dark purple that feels velvety and dimensional without being too loud. It strikes the balance between wearable and vibrant, making it perfect for anyone craving a moodier jewel tone.

On natural levels 7–10, Mystic Crystal creates a deep chocolaty purple finish with subtle richness. For a brighter, more vibrant purple that pops more visibly in all lighting, pre-lightening to a level 8–10 is recommended.

This shade can be used on natural hair, though results will appear softer and more muted than on pre-lightened hair.

Pro-Tips for Gemtones!

For the best results, always follow each shade’s recommended lightening guidelines before application. Lighter pastel shades like Jaded and Sunstoned require a clean, pre-lightened base of levels 9 and 10, while deeper jewel tones like Molten and Mystic Crystal offer more flexibility on natural hair.

When applying deeper shades like Molten and Mystic Crystal to unlightened hair, keep in mind that the result will appear softer, moodier, and more noticeable in sunlight than indoor lighting.

For all shades:

• Saturate thoroughly! Work in ½ inch sections, adding another dollop of color every 2 inches down the length until every strand is fully coated.

• Leave color on for 35-55 minutes.

• Wash and condition with color-safe products like GDY’s Wash and Rinse.

• Avoid washing too frequently to help preserve vibrancy.

• Always use a heat protectant before styling, such as GDY’s Prime.

• Keep hot tools at lower temperatures whenever possible, as excessive heat can fade color faster.

• Limit prolonged direct sun exposure to help maintain tone and longevity.

• Now you, too, can be a gem!