‘Jewelachite’ Is the Latest Paint Trend That’s About to Be Everywhere

In an era where accent walls are still very much in the trendsphere, the newest DIY look to hit Instagram is one that left me in awe. The pattern resembles something that would be featured in a luxe wallpaper, but knowing you can craft it yourself for less is a significant win. Conceptualized by interior designer Jewel Marlowe, which she coined as “Jewelachite,” it’s about to become your latest paint obsession.

“‘Jewelachite’ definition: The process of faux painting almost any surface in a Jewel-toned paint with a malachite [or] agate design,” Marlowe wrote in the caption of her recent Instagram post. In her video, she shared that she took a “big risk” when pulling together her Hampton’s Designer Showhouse as she tested out this technique on a set of doors; but that it was “100% worth the risk” after her experiment was finished.

“I design and decorate for my day job … not paint. But I couldn’t resist the idea of a surprise element,” Marlowe wrote. “I was thrilled that it was so easy and so impactful.”

The Washington, D.C.-based designer said that she could also picture her Jewelachite technique being used to add color on ceilings,  drench furniture, floors, frames, and more.

In a blog post, Marlowe detailed how she DIYed this incredible malachite-like finish. She began by choosing a rich jewel-toned color and a lighter hue in the same color family to act as the contrasting background.

If you’re attempting the look yourself, paint your chosen surface with the lighter color and allow it to fully dry. From there, you’ll mix your darker paint with acrylic glaze and prepare a piece of cardboard by tearing one side to create a jagged edge. Apply a bit of the thinned paint to a section of the surface. Then use the cardboard to create the malachite finish by pivoting it and varying the pressure to create a realistic look.

You should practice a few times, but you can just go over an area with more thinned paint to reverse patterns you don’t like. Work in small sections to ensure the paint doesn’t dry out while you’re creating the malachite texture. Marlowe included a few great tips to keep in mind while texturizing, so read her blog post in full before diving in.

You should end up with a stunning malachite-inspired finish at the end! Add a glossy top coat to really sell the mineral-like look and create an even deeper finish. “Jewelachite” is about to become my next hyperfixation, and once the technique has been mastered, no surface is safe!