How to Add Bling To Your Cell Phone

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 17, 2021

Rhinestones and glitter make just about everything better, and cell phone cases are no exception! If your cell phone case is looking boring, dull, or a little shabby, you can give it a new life (and lots of glam!) by adding some bling to it. From rhinestones, to jewelry findings, to glitter, the options are limitless!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Rhinestones

1
Find a cell phone case that fits your phone. You can use a clear one or a colored one. You will be gluing the rhinestones to this case, then slipping it over your phone. Do not glue the rhinestones directly to your phone.
2
Arrange the rhinestones on the back of the phone case. You can use rhinestones that are all the same size and color, or you can experiment with different sizes and/or colors. You can even do a simply design, like an initial or heart.
- If you are using all the same size, arrange them in staggered rows, like bricks on a wall.
- If you are using a variety of sizes, start with the largest ones first, then fill in the gaps with the smaller ones.
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3
Choose and prepare your glue. Choose a strong adhesive, such as super glue, E6000, Liquid Nails, Gem Tac, etc. If the glue came with a precision tip, leave it as it is. If the glue came in a bottle or tube, squeeze out a coin-sized dollop onto a disposable plate.
- You should do this even if the rhinestones are self-adhesive. The glue on these types of rhinestones is not very strong, and they will fall off if you don't glue them down.
4
Pick up a rhinestone and coat the back with glue. Use a pair of jewelry tweezers to pick up your first rhinestone. If your glue bottle came with a precision tip, apply a bead of glue to the back of the rhinestone. If you poured the glue out, then dip the back of the rhinestone into the glue.
5
Press the rhinestones back onto the case. If you need to, use the tips of your tweezers to nudge the rhinestone back into place. Once you are happy with the placement, gently press down on the top of the rhinestones with the tweezers.
6
Continue gluing rhinestones to the case. Do not cover any holes for plugs, cameras, buttons, or speakers; work your way around them instead. You can cover just the back of your phone case, or you can cover the back and sides.
- If you are covering the sides, make sure that the rhinestones fit. If they are too big, they'll hang off of the edges and snag onto everything.
7
Allow the glue to dry and cure before using the case. Just because the glue feels dry to the touch does not mean that your case is ready to use. Some types of glues also have a curing time. This can be anywhere between 24 and 72 hours. Check the label on your bottle of glue for more specific drying times.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Jewelry and Findings

1
Find some blingy items to decorate your case with. Don't get too carried away, however; choose about 3 to 5 blingy items to use as your statement pieces. Brooches, cabochons, and scrapbooking embellishments (such as resin roses) work especially well for this. Choose pieces that go well together, or your phone case will look too cluttered.^{[2]
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- Use pliers to break off the backs from clip-on earrings, stud earrings, or brooches.
2
Plan out your design. Arrange the pieces on your phone case, but don't glue them down yet. Again, do not get carried away; you will be filling in the negative space with smaller pearls and rhinestones. Do not cover up any of the holes for the camera, buttons, or microphone.
3
Glue down your pieces one at a time. Choose a strong, industrial-strength glue, such as E6000. Pick up one of your embellishments, and squeeze out some glue onto the back. Press the embellishment back into place on the case. Do this for all of the pieces.^{[3]
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- You can also apply some glue to the case itself, then press the piece into it.
4
Fill in any gaps with tiny rhinestones or flat-backed pearls. Squeeze out some of your glue onto a disposable tray or lid. Use a pair of jewelry tweezers to pick up a rhinestone/pearl. Dip the back into the glue, then press it onto the phone case. Fill the rest of your case in a similar manner.^{[4]
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- Buy rhinestones/pearls that come in a variety of sizes.
- Start with the bigger ones first and finish with the smallest.
5
Wait for the glue to dry and cure. Industrial-strength glue typically has both a drying time and a curing time. This can take anywhere between 24 and 72 hours. Check the label on your tube of glue for more specific drying times.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Glitter and Tinsel

1
Get a clear case that fits your phone. The case must be clear as you will be putting the glitter on the inside. If you use an opaque or colored case, the glitter won't show up!
2
Choose your glitter. You can use extra-fine glitter, chunky glitter, or even extra-chunky glitter. For a more unique look, try metallic confetti. You can also gather some tinsel or metallic streamers, then cut them at angles into tiny parallelograms.^{[5]
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3
Coat the back/inside of your phone case with decoupage glue. Flip the case over and set it down onto a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. Use a paintbrush or a foam brush to apply a thin coat of decoupage glue (i.e.: Mod Podge).^{[6]
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- Make sure that your decoupage glue has a glossy finish.
4
Sprinkle the glitter into the glue. You can always sprinkle all of the glitter onto the case for the ultimate blingy look, but there looks you can try too. Here are some ideas:^{[7]
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- Sprinkle the glitter sparsely over the case for a starry-night effect.
- Create an ombre effect by using more glitter towards one end, and less towards the other.
- Focus the glitter on just one section of the case, such as a corner or the center.
5
Let the glue dry, then tap off the excess glitter. How long the glue takes to dry depends on the brand you used. Most brands will dry in about 20 to 60 minutes, however. Once the glue dries, turn the case on its side, and tap it against the table. Next, turn the case upside down, and shake out any excess glitter.^{[8]
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6
Apply another coat of decoupage glue and glitter, if needed. If you went with an ombre or sparse effect, you likely got the coverage you needed the first time around. If you coated your entire case with glitter, a single layer was probably not enough. In this case, brush on another layer of your glue, and add more glitter.^{[9]
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- Remember to let the glue dry, then shake out any excess glitter.
7
Paint the back/inside of the case with acrylic paint. Use a brush or foam brush to apply the paint right over the glitter. This will create a background to help the glitter really stand out. Black or white are great options.^{[10]
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- If you covered your entire case with glitter, choose a color that matches the glitter instead.
8
Let the paint dry, then seal it. Once the paint has dried (about 20 minutes), apply a final coat of your decoupage glue on top. This will seal the inside of your case completely and protect it against scratches.^{[11]
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- You can also use a good-quality varnish or sealer for this step, if you prefer.
9
Allow the case to dry and cure completely before using it. How long this takes depends on the type of decoupage glue or sealer you used. Read the label carefully. Just because something feels dry to the touch does not mean that it is ready to use. Most sealers will have a curing time, and will be ready in about 24 to 72 hours.
- Putting the case on before it dries can cause the glue to stick to your phone.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I decorate my cell phone without buying bling? Can I use homemade things?

Community Answer

Yes. You can use nail polish if you wish. Just be careful and if you have key chains you can use them, too.
Question

How do I put rhinestones onto my phone case?

Community Answer

If the rhinestones have adhesive on them, peel off the cover and stick them onto your phone case (not your phone!). If they don't have adhesive, you can use hot glue.
Question

Could I use a hot glue gun to put my case together?

Community Answer

Yes, but just make sure the hot glue does not touch your phone. It might damage it if it does.