Tooth gems have been having a moment in celebrity culture - scroll through enough red carpet photos or Instagram posts and you'll catch glimpses of sparkle on some seriously high-profile smiles. What used to be primarily associated with hip-hop culture in the 90s and early 2000s has crossed over into mainstream fashion, with A-listers from various industries embracing the trend and making it feel less niche.
Hailey Bieber
Hailey basically brought tooth gems back into the spotlight around 2019-2020 when she started sporting a tiny crystal on her canine - suddenly what had been a relatively underground beauty trend became something fashion magazines were writing about. Her approach was subtle (a small clear crystal) but still noticeable enough to spark conversations and inspire copycats across social media.
The model's version of the trend felt accessible in a way that some celebrity beauty choices don't; it wasn't wildly expensive or requiring surgery, just a small sparkly addition that elevated her already polished aesthetic. She wore it casually, not making a huge deal out of it, which somehow made it feel more aspirational - like something you could actually get yourself rather than just admire from afar.
Katy Perry
Katy has been seen with tooth gems multiple times over the years, often going for more colorful options that match her generally bold aesthetic - she's not afraid to experiment with different placements and sizes, which tracks with her overall approach to beauty and fashion. When someone's known for wearing cupcake bras and has had blue hair, a sparkly tooth gem barely registers as adventurous.
Her choices tend to coordinate with whatever era or aesthetic she's working with at the moment; the gems become part of a larger visual statement rather than just a standalone accessory. She's treated them almost like temporary fashion rather than a long-term beauty commitment, swapping them out or removing them depending on what she's doing.
Drake
Drake has experimented with tooth gems alongside his various other dental modifications - he's had diamond-encrusted teeth at different points, so gems feel almost understated in comparison. For him it's part of a larger approach to jewelry and personal branding that includes pretty much every surface of his body, from chains to rings to watches that cost more than most people's cars.
The tooth gems fit into his whole aesthetic of elevated luxury and attention to detail; even his dental choices are curated and expensive. It's very much in line with hip-hop's long tradition of dental decoration, just evolved into a more refined, less permanent version than the full grills of earlier decades.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé had a brief tooth gem phase that got plenty of attention simply because, well, it's Beyoncé - when she does anything beauty-related, people notice and often follow suit. Her choice was characteristically elegant, nothing too over-the-top but still adding that extra bit of glamour to an already stunning smile.
She wore it during performances and public appearances, letting it catch the stage lights in a way that added another dimension to her already commanding presence. So if you're interested in crystal options for fashion projects that capture similar sparkle, the effect translates well across different mediums. The gem felt like a natural extension of her overall approach to glamour, which is polished and intentional without being fussy.
Adwoa Aboah
Adwoa has sported tooth gems in various fashion campaigns and personal appearances - as a model and activist known for pushing beauty boundaries, the tooth gem fits that rebellious but still polished vibe. Her placements tend to be visible but not aggressive, letting the gem add interest without dominating her look or feeling costume-y.
She's been pretty vocal about beauty standards and self-expression, and the tooth gem feels like part of that conversation; it's a way of decorating yourself that's temporary and playful but still makes a statement. The fashion industry has generally been receptive to her version of the trend since it photographs beautifully and adds visual interest in close-up shots.
Bella Hadid
Bella briefly joined the tooth gem club, posting photos that showed a small crystal on her smile - the model set has generally been pretty receptive to the trend since it photographs well and adds that extra something in editorial shoots without being as permanent as other body modifications. Her approach was typically understated, letting the gem be a subtle detail rather than the main event.
Models have an interesting relationship with beauty trends because their faces are literally their work; they need to be able to shift aesthetics relatively easily depending on the job. Tooth gems work well for that since they're removable - you can have the edgy sparkle for your off-duty Instagram content but take it out for a more classic beauty campaign if needed.
Post Malone
Post Malone briefly had a tooth gem phase, though his dental modifications have ranged all over the place - he seems to treat his smile as an extension of his general experimental approach to body art and jewelry. Whether or not he currently has gems depends on which month you're checking, honestly.
His aesthetic is very much "do whatever feels right in the moment," which extends to his teeth; the gems are just one small part of a larger canvas that includes face tattoos, elaborate jewelry, and constantly changing hair. For him, tooth gems probably feel pretty tame compared to some of his other choices.
Jessica Hart
Australian model Jessica Hart has embraced the tooth gem trend as part of her beach-casual, effortlessly cool aesthetic - she's posted photos showing off her sparkly smile, and it fits well with her overall approach to beauty which tends toward natural and sun-kissed rather than heavily made up. The gem adds a bit of unexpected glamour to what's otherwise a very laid-back look.
Models from Australia and the coastal fashion scene seem particularly drawn to tooth gems; maybe it's the contrast between the relaxed, beach lifestyle and this small bit of decoration that feels special. Either way, she's made it look completely natural rather than try-hard.
FKA Twigs
FKA Twigs has been photographed with tooth gems during various performances and appearances - they fit well with her artistic, avant-garde approach to beauty and fashion where everything feels intentional and conceptual. She tends to treat them as part of a larger visual statement rather than just a standalone accessory or trend she's trying out.
Her relationship with body modification and decoration goes pretty deep; she's talked about how she thinks about her appearance and presentation as art. The tooth gems become another tool in that creative arsenal, something that can be deployed for specific performances or visual projects and then removed when they've served their purpose.
The Historical Context
While current celebrities are making tooth gems feel fresh and trendy, tooth gems through the years have actually been around in various forms for much longer than most people realize - Ancient Mayans were decorating teeth with jade thousands of years ago, and different cultures have used dental modification as adornment throughout history.
The modern version really took off in the late 90s and early 2000s with hip-hop culture, where artists were getting diamonds and gold embedded in their teeth as a display of wealth and status. What we're seeing now with mainstream celebrities is a softer, more accessible version of that aesthetic; the gems are temporary, more affordable, and appeal to a broader demographic than permanent gold teeth ever did.
Why It Works for Celebrities
Part of the appeal for celebrities is that tooth gems are temporary-ish - they last long enough to make an impact and create content, but they're not a forever commitment like tattoos or more invasive cosmetic procedures. If you get tired of it or need to look more conservative for a particular role or event, you can have it removed without much drama.
The photography aspect matters too; tooth gems catch light beautifully in photos and videos, adding a point of visual interest that draws the eye without being distracting. In an Instagram-dominated culture where celebrities are constantly creating content, anything that photographs well has inherent value - it's another tool for making your face more interesting and dynamic on camera.
Making It Your Own
Seeing celebrities with tooth gems can be inspiring, but what looks good on someone with professional lighting, makeup artists, and photo editing might translate differently in real life - celebrity beauty choices exist in a pretty specific context that most of us don't share. If you're drawn to the look, think about what appeals to you about it beyond just seeing it on someone famous.
The best part about tooth gems becoming mainstream through celebrity adoption is that it's normalized the look enough that it's no longer shocking or particularly rebellious - it's just another beauty option in an increasingly diverse landscape of ways people choose to decorate themselves. Whether you go subtle like Hailey Bieber or bold like Drake, there's probably a tooth gem style that fits what you're going for.
