diff --git a/frontend/app/settings/page.tsx b/frontend/app/settings/page.tsx
index 5de53b6..65b72e6 100644
--- a/frontend/app/settings/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/settings/page.tsx
@@ -21,24 +21,29 @@ import {
     Shield,
     Sparkles,
     Check,
-    ArrowLeft
+    ArrowLeft,
+    Lock
 } from "lucide-react"
 import Link from "next/link"
 
-// Avatar color palette - Jewel Tones (Primary Set)
+// Avatar color palette - Jewel Tones with XP unlock tiers
 const PRESET_COLORS = [
-    { value: "#0F4C81", name: "Sapphire" },
-    { value: "#9B111E", name: "Ruby" },
-    { value: "#50C878", name: "Emerald" },
-    { value: "#9966CC", name: "Amethyst" },
-    { value: "#0D98BA", name: "Topaz" },
-    { value: "#E0115F", name: "Rose Quartz" },
-    { value: "#082567", name: "Lapis" },
-    { value: "#FF7518", name: "Carnelian" },
-    { value: "#006B3C", name: "Jade" },
-    { value: "#1C1C1C", name: "Onyx" },
-    { value: "#E6E200", name: "Citrine" },
-    { value: "#702963", name: "Garnet" },
+    // Starter Tier (0 XP) - Always unlocked
+    { value: "#0F4C81", name: "Sapphire", tier: "Starter", xpRequired: 0 },
+    { value: "#9B111E", name: "Ruby", tier: "Starter", xpRequired: 0 },
+    { value: "#50C878", name: "Emerald", tier: "Starter", xpRequired: 0 },
+    { value: "#9966CC", name: "Amethyst", tier: "Starter", xpRequired: 0 },
+    // Bronze Tier (100 XP)
+    { value: "#0D98BA", name: "Topaz", tier: "Bronze", xpRequired: 100 },
+    { value: "#E0115F", name: "Rose Quartz", tier: "Bronze", xpRequired: 100 },
+    { value: "#082567", name: "Lapis", tier: "Bronze", xpRequired: 100 },
+    { value: "#FF7518", name: "Carnelian", tier: "Bronze", xpRequired: 100 },
+    // Silver Tier (500 XP)
+    { value: "#006B3C", name: "Jade", tier: "Silver", xpRequired: 500 },
+    { value: "#1C1C1C", name: "Onyx", tier: "Silver", xpRequired: 500 },
+    // Gold Tier (1000 XP)
+    { value: "#E6E200", name: "Citrine", tier: "Gold", xpRequired: 1000 },
+    { value: "#702963", name: "Garnet", tier: "Gold", xpRequired: 1000 },
 ]
 
 export default function SettingsPage() {
@@ -233,6 +238,7 @@ export default function SettingsPage() {
                         saved={avatarSaved}
                         error={avatarError}
                         onSave={handleSaveAvatar}
+                        userXp={(user as any)?.xp || 0}
                     />
 
                     <Separator />
@@ -296,6 +302,7 @@ export default function SettingsPage() {
                             saved={avatarSaved}
                             error={avatarError}
                             onSave={handleSaveAvatar}
+                            userXp={(user as any)?.xp || 0}
                         />
                     </TabsContent>
 
@@ -412,7 +419,8 @@ function AppearanceSection({
     saving,
     saved,
     error,
-    onSave
+    onSave,
+    userXp = 0
 }: any) {
     return (
         <Card id="appearance">
@@ -422,7 +430,7 @@ function AppearanceSection({
                     Appearance
                 </CardTitle>
                 <CardDescription>
-                    Customize how you appear across the site
+                    Customize how you appear across the site. Earn XP to unlock more colors!
                 </CardDescription>
             </CardHeader>
             <CardContent className="space-y-6">
@@ -455,24 +463,43 @@ function AppearanceSection({
                     </div>
                 </div>
 
-                {/* Color Grid */}
+                {/* Color Grid with Tiers */}
                 <div className="space-y-3">
-                    <Label>Background Color</Label>
-                    <div className="grid grid-cols-6 gap-3">
-                        {PRESET_COLORS.map((color) => (
-                            <button
-                                key={color.value}
-                                onClick={() => setAvatarBgColor(color.value)}
-                                className="relative aspect-square rounded-xl transition-all hover:scale-110 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-ring"
-                                style={{ backgroundColor: color.value }}
-                                title={color.name}
-                            >
-                                {avatarBgColor === color.value && (
-                                    <Check className="absolute inset-0 m-auto h-5 w-5 text-white drop-shadow-lg" />
-                                )}
-                            </button>
-                        ))}
+                    <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+                        <Label>Background Color</Label>
+                        <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Your XP: {userXp}</span>
                     </div>
+                    <div className="grid grid-cols-6 gap-3">
+                        {PRESET_COLORS.map((color) => {
+                            const isLocked = userXp < color.xpRequired
+                            return (
+                                <button
+                                    key={color.value}
+                                    onClick={() => !isLocked && setAvatarBgColor(color.value)}
+                                    disabled={isLocked}
+                                    className={`relative aspect-square rounded-xl transition-all focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-offset-2 focus:ring-ring ${isLocked
+                                        ? 'opacity-40 cursor-not-allowed'
+                                        : 'hover:scale-110'
+                                        }`}
+                                    style={{ backgroundColor: color.value }}
+                                    title={isLocked
+                                        ? `${color.name} - Unlock at ${color.xpRequired} XP`
+                                        : `${color.name} (${color.tier})`
+                                    }
+                                >
+                                    {avatarBgColor === color.value && !isLocked && (
+                                        <Check className="absolute inset-0 m-auto h-5 w-5 text-white drop-shadow-lg" />
+                                    )}
+                                    {isLocked && (
+                                        <Lock className="absolute inset-0 m-auto h-4 w-4 text-white/70 drop-shadow-lg" />
+                                    )}
+                                </button>
+                            )
+                        })}
+                    </div>
+                    <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                        Earn XP by attending shows, writing reviews, and rating performances
+                    </p>
                 </div>
 
                 {error && (
@@ -481,7 +508,7 @@ function AppearanceSection({
 
                 <div className="flex justify-end">
                     <Button onClick={onSave} disabled={saving}>
-                        {saving ? "Saving..." : saved ? "Saved ✓" : "Save Avatar"}
+                        {saving ? "Saving..." : saved ? "Saved" : "Save Avatar"}
                     </Button>
                 </div>
             </CardContent>