diff --git a/styles/globals.css b/styles/globals.css
index a0b3fe3..f1c8176 100644
--- a/styles/globals.css
+++ b/styles/globals.css
@@ -365,9 +365,29 @@ body {
      The `--chip-border-base` is a faint diagonal white tint that
      paints under the corner gradients so the rest of the rim isn't
      completely invisible (gives the chip a sensible edge even far
-     from either light source). */
+     from either light source).
+
+     Two intensity tiers (2026-06-04 refinement, operator feedback
+     after the original tokens went out — "reduce the vibrancy of
+     the border gradients on the cards"):
+
+       1. `--corner-light-{warm,cool}` (full intensity) — used by
+          the floating chrome chips (sidebar nav, top header) where
+          the catch-light SHOULD be the primary visual cue that the
+          element is a distinct floating surface responding to the
+          background light sources. Consumed via inline `boxShadow`
+          in `components/Layout.js` and `components/ui/TopSearchBar.js`.
+
+       2. `--corner-light-{warm,cool}-subtle` — used by `.glass-panel`
+          and `.glass-panel-strong` (data cards: stat cards, deck
+          cards, list cards, modals, dropdowns). These surfaces are
+          numerous and tile densely; at full intensity the catch
+          lights compete with the chrome and overwhelm the page.
+          Roughly 55% of the full-intensity alpha. */
   --corner-light-warm: rgba(255, 110, 0, 0.50);
   --corner-light-cool: rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.38);
+  --corner-light-warm-subtle: rgba(255, 110, 0, 0.28);
+  --corner-light-cool-subtle: rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.20);
   --chip-border-base: linear-gradient(
     135deg,
     rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14) 0%,
@@ -404,9 +424,17 @@ body {
      and cool catch lights read clearly against the deep substrate.
      See :root for the full rationale on the corner-vs-drop-shadow
      refinement. The base white border tint drops in alpha here
-     because the deep canvas absorbs whites more readily. */
+     because the deep canvas absorbs whites more readily.
+
+     The `-subtle` variants (used by `.glass-panel*` data cards
+     per the operator's "reduce the vibrancy" feedback) sit at
+     roughly 55% of the full-intensity alpha — slightly higher
+     proportionally than the light theme because dark substrates
+     swallow chromatic content. */
   --corner-light-warm: rgba(255, 130, 30, 0.68);
   --corner-light-cool: rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.58);
+  --corner-light-warm-subtle: rgba(255, 130, 30, 0.38);
+  --corner-light-cool-subtle: rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.32);
   --chip-border-base: linear-gradient(
     135deg,
     rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10) 0%,
@@ -790,14 +818,21 @@ body {
    border-box-clipped gradient layers as the visible rim.
    Drop-shadow stack is now just rim-light-inner + elevation —
    the directional warm/cool outer glows are gone per operator
-   feedback ("reduce those box shadows quite a bit"). */
+   feedback ("reduce those box shadows quite a bit").
+
+   `.glass-panel*` uses the SUBTLE corner-light variants (about 55%
+   of the full-intensity alpha used by the floating chrome chips in
+   Layout / TopSearchBar). Data cards tile densely, so at full
+   intensity the catch lights compete with the chrome and overwhelm
+   the page (2026-06-04 operator feedback: "reduce the vibrancy of
+   the border gradients on the cards"). */
 .glass-panel {
   background:
     linear-gradient(var(--glass-surface-mid), var(--glass-surface-mid))
       padding-box,
-    radial-gradient(at 0% 100%, var(--corner-light-warm) 0%, transparent 42%)
+    radial-gradient(at 0% 100%, var(--corner-light-warm-subtle) 0%, transparent 42%)
       border-box,
-    radial-gradient(at 100% 0%, var(--corner-light-cool) 0%, transparent 42%)
+    radial-gradient(at 100% 0%, var(--corner-light-cool-subtle) 0%, transparent 42%)
       border-box,
     var(--chip-border-base) border-box;
   border: 1px solid transparent;
@@ -811,9 +846,9 @@ body {
   background:
     linear-gradient(var(--glass-surface-high), var(--glass-surface-high))
       padding-box,
-    radial-gradient(at 0% 100%, var(--corner-light-warm) 0%, transparent 42%)
+    radial-gradient(at 0% 100%, var(--corner-light-warm-subtle) 0%, transparent 42%)
       border-box,
-    radial-gradient(at 100% 0%, var(--corner-light-cool) 0%, transparent 42%)
+    radial-gradient(at 100% 0%, var(--corner-light-cool-subtle) 0%, transparent 42%)
       border-box,
     var(--chip-border-base) border-box;
   border: 1px solid transparent;