What not to bedazzle

Teeth and tooth gems

Tooth gems are the trend’s riskiest corner. Dentists’ advice is consistent: a gem should be bonded by a dental professional with dental materials, and the American Dental Association does not recommend bonded tooth decorations at all, because of enamel damage, plaque build-up and decay around the stone. DIY kits are the version dentists warn about most, and craft rhinestones fixed with super glue are worse again — neither the stone nor the glue is made for a mouth.

Cakes, cups and anything that touches food

Craft rhinestones are not made to go on food, and no common craft adhesive is certified for contact with it. A gem-covered cake is decorated with edible pieces — isomalt jewels, sugar gems, edible glitter — or with a non-edible topper that lifts off in one piece before anyone cuts a slice.

On drinkware the rule is simpler: stones and glue stay well below the rim, never on the lid or straw, and the finished cup is washed by hand. The full method is in the tumbler guide, and there is more on decorating cakes in Bedazzled cakes: the gem-covered cake, done safely.

Pets

A dog or cat that chews its collar can pull a glued stone off and swallow it, and solvent glue sits right against skin. Rhinestone collars made in a factory set the stones into the band, which is a different construction from gluing them on top.

If you want a sparkly collar, buy one made that way, check the fit, and inspect it regularly for loose stones.

Babies, toddlers and their things

A 3 mm rhinestone is exactly the size that causes choking. Keep loose stones and finished projects away from under-threes, and don’t decorate dummies, bottles, cot toys, high chairs or anything a small child mouths. Children’s own projects belong on sticker sheets and gem-art canvases: see Bedazzling kits for kids.

Helmets and safety equipment

Helmet manufacturers generally advise against applying adhesives, solvents or unapproved stickers to a shell, because they can affect the materials the helmet depends on. That covers cycle, motorcycle, ski and riding helmets, and the same caution applies to harnesses, buoyancy aids and anything else whose job is to protect you. Check the maker’s guidance, and decorate a cover or a bag instead.

Airbag covers and the driver’s eyeline

An airbag cover splits open at speed, so anything glued to it becomes a projectile. That rules out the steering wheel centre and the passenger dash panel. The dashboard top is out too, because it reflects into the windscreen. The car guide sets out what is safe to decorate instead.

Heat, appliances and the dishwasher

Kettles, air fryers, toasters, hair straighteners and anything else that gets hot will soften craft adhesive and can produce fumes from it. Coffee machines are a popular project, but keep stones to the cool outer casing, away from vents, the water tank and any surface that warms up. Nothing decorated should go through a dishwasher: heat, water and detergent together are what break these bonds.