Tooth Gems in Melbourne: What Studios Charge vs Doing It Yourself
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Melbourne has one of the most established tooth gem scenes in Australia — beauty studios, whitening bars, piercing shops and cosmetic dental clinics all offer placement, at prices that vary widely depending on which door you walk through.
Here's what it costs locally, and how it compares to doing it yourself with a DIY kit.
What Melbourne studios charge
Pricing in Melbourne falls into two tiers:
Beauty studios and whitening bars — roughly $80–$120 per gem. The most common option, and slightly below the national average. Usually crystal gems, applied by a trained technician, often as an add-on to a whitening appointment.
Cosmetic dental clinics — $169–$400 per gem. Higher cost, but includes a dentist assessing your teeth first — which is genuinely worth paying for if you have any existing dental concerns. Some clinics charge around $250 for crystal and $400 for gold.
Additional gems are usually cheaper than the first, but multi-gem designs and shaped charms add up quickly.
Across Australia generally, beauty-studio gems run $100–$250 and clinic placements $169–$400 — Australia is one of the more expensive markets globally for this service, so Melbourne's studio pricing is on the more affordable side.
Removal is usually charged separately, typically $25–$75.
What that gets you
A studio appointment buys three things: someone else's steady hand, their eye for placement, and — at a dental clinic — an assessment of whether a gem is appropriate for your teeth at all.
What it doesn't buy is permanence. A gem placed in a Melbourne studio lasts the same 2–6 months as one applied at your kitchen table. When it comes off, you pay again.
The DIY comparison
A complete Installation Kit is $80 and covers up to 20 applications. Add a gem set from $15 and the whole setup is around $95 — roughly $4.75 per gem.
Against even an $80–$120 Melbourne studio placement, the kit pays for itself on the first application. Against a year of continuous wear (2–4 replacements), you're comparing $95 to several hundred dollars.
The honest trade-off: your first application takes 20–30 minutes and may sit a millimetre off where you pictured it. By the third, it takes ten minutes and looks the same as a studio job.
Shipping to Melbourne
MintGemz orders are packed and dispatched from the Gold Coast in 1–3 business days, with standard delivery to Melbourne in 2–5 business days and express in 1–3. Standard shipping is $11, express $15, and free on orders over $100.
So the realistic gap between deciding and wearing is under a week — usually faster than getting a Saturday studio appointment.
When to book a Melbourne studio instead
We'd genuinely rather you booked a professional if:
- You haven't had a dental check-up recently, or you have thin enamel, decay, gum disease, or braces
- You want the gem on a lower or side tooth — awkward to reach on yourself
- You want a complex multi-gem design or gold
- It's for a wedding or event and you want it perfect first time
And regardless of who applies it: have it professionally removed. That's the one step worth paying for either way.
Frequently asked questions
How much do tooth gems cost in Melbourne?
Beauty studios generally charge around $80–$120 per gem in Melbourne, slightly below the national average, and cosmetic dental clinics $169–$400. Removal is usually separate at $25–$75.
Is a DIY kit cheaper than a Melbourne studio?
Considerably. A kit and gems come to around $95 and cover up to 20 applications — about $4.75 per gem, against $80–$120 for a single studio placement.
How long do tooth gems last?
2–6 months for round flatback gems, 1–4 months for larger shaped charms, whether applied in a studio or at home.
How fast can I get a tooth gem kit delivered to Melbourne?
Orders are dispatched from the Gold Coast within 1–3 business days, with standard delivery to Melbourne in 2–5 business days and express in 1–3.
Should I see a dentist before getting a tooth gem in Melbourne?
Yes, particularly if you haven't had a check-up recently. Gems shouldn't be bonded over decay, and thin enamel, gum disease and orthodontic work all change whether one is suitable for you.
Related reading
- DIY kit vs salon — the full national cost breakdown
- Tooth gem prices in Sydney — how another city compares
- How to choose a tooth gem kit — if you're going the DIY route
Prices are indicative and drawn from publicly listed Australian rates — check directly with individual providers. Cosmetic use only — not a substitute for professional dental care. Consult your dentist if you have weak enamel, cavities, gum disease, or braces.