Confession time: Sometimes I stare at glass dildos online and sigh dreamily, like I’m scrolling through a romantic interest’s Instagram feed. Sex toy shopping is less risky than crush-creeping, though, because I won’t freak out the dildos if I accidentally double-tap something from 2017.
Glass toys are just so beautiful, in a way that’s unlike almost anything else. Sure, lots of people make artistic glass creations for lots of different purposes — stained glass windows, elegant paperweights, ornate decanters — but how many of those can you safely insert into your body for pleasure? Not very many.
Even within the category of glass dildos, though, there are some that rise above the rest in terms of both beauty and function — the exquisite Unbound Stellar, for instance.
Wait, Aren’t Glass Sex Toys Dangerous?
It’s an understandable question. We’ve all seen the jagged edges that can ensue when glass is dropped or broken — think Blanche DuBois smashing a glass bottle to use as a makeshift weapon in A Streetcar Named Desire — and the thought of getting your genitals anywhere near that mess is pretty horrifying.
There is a risk of glass toys breaking, especially those that are cheaply made or have super-thin sections along their length. But breakage tends to only happen when you’ve dropped the toy or otherwise subjected it to sudden, hard impact. The odds of it happening inside you are extremely, extremely low, because the inside of your body is much softer and more forgiving than, say, a concrete floor. Some very anecdotal evidence: I own over 25 different glass dildos, many of which I’ve used literally hundreds of times, and only one has ever broken. It was a cheaply made one with an overly thin shaft, and I accidentally dropped it on a tile floor. My vagina certainly wasn’t strong enough to snap it in half even if I tried, and I doubt your orifices are, either.
The best thing you can do to prevent a glass toy from breaking (aside from, y’know, not dropping it in the first place) is to examine it closely before each use to make sure it hasn’t developed any chips, cracks or scratches, as these can turn into break points. If your toy has been damaged in this way, it’s safest to replace it.
Even without breakage entering into the picture, sometimes the firmness of glass can pose a problem for comfort and safety; I’ve definitely had my cervix rammed by an occasional partner who got overzealous with a glass dildo, for example. But for the most part, if you pick a toy of a size that’s manageable for you, go slow and use enough lube, you’ll be fine.
What Makes Glass Sex Toys Great?
Though glass sex toys might seem like a weird idea at first blush, they have a lot of benefits over many other sex toy materials. Such as…
Firmness. Though the hardness of glass toys can cause issues as discussed above, in general it’s actually one of their most useful qualities. Internal erogenous zones like the G-spot and prostate often respond best to firm stimulation, at least once you’re properly turned on and lubed up. It’s especially helpful if you’re aiming for an intense outcome like squirting or a prostate orgasm; sometimes softer materials just don’t have enough “oomph” for the job.
A Lack of Pores. Unlike cheap materials such as PVC and rubber, glass doesn’t have pores that hold onto bacteria. You can wash glass dildos between uses with soap and water, and they’ll get squeaky-clean. For more thorough sanitization, you can let your toy soak in a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for a few minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly. The Unbound Stellar dildo can even be run through a dishwasher — just make sure to skip the soap if you do this, because it can leave a residue on your toy that might cause irritation.
Smoothness. Although there are glass dildos that have some texture to them, for the most part, glass toys have a frictionless surface that produces less “drag” against the skin than materials like silicone. This means glass might be comfier for you if you’re prone to internal irritation, and also means you can get away with using less lube if you need to (though more lube is always better).
Compatibility with All Lubes. Speaking of lubes, one of the best things about glass dildos is that you can use any kind of lube you want with them. Water-based Astroglide from the drugstore? Sure. Fancy silicone-based Uberlube from an upscale sex shop? Definitely. Natural lubes like coconut oil? Go for it.
Affordability. Certainly you can get higher-end glass toys that are handmade by artisans, with swirling colors and gorgeous craftsmanship, and those tend to be expensive. (BTW: If you’re into that kind of thing, the Seattle-based brand Crystal Delights should be on your radar.) But there are plenty of perfectly decent glass dildos to be had for less than $50. The Unbound Stellar is only $38, for instance.
Attractiveness. You might not necessarily want to display a glass dildo on your mantelpiece, but they often look like works of art. The way they reflect light is stunning, and they come in a rainbow of colors. Sex toys don’t have to be pretty to feel good, of course, but you might find you use a toy more often if it appeals to as many of your senses as possible.
Temperature Flexibility. Sometimes when I tell people I like glass toys, they’ll say, “Don’t they feel so cold inside you, though?!” To which I have to respond: Well, yes, but I like that. The natural coldness of a glass sex toy can feel surprising, exciting and even refreshing, particularly on a hot day. That said, if the coldness doesn’t appeal to you, it’s easy to pre-warm a glass toy, by putting it in a bowl of warm water or (if you’re lazy like me) just sitting on it for a few minutes while you watch porn, make out or do other “foreplay”-type stuff.
An Unrealistic Look. Almost all glass dildos are made to look like dildos, not dicks. If your fantasies are very cock-centric, maybe this won’t thrill you, but for a lot of people, non-representational sex toys are where it’s at. That could be because of having a partner who’s intimidated by realistic toys, having past trauma involving dicks or simply not finding ‘em exciting. No matter the reason, if you’d prefer a sex toy that looks more like a postmodern sculpture than a penis, consider a glass dildo.
Why the Unbound Stellar Dildo Feels So Damn Good
Sex toy company Unbound makes a few different dildos, but the Stellar is definitely their prettiest. It’s made of iridescent glass in jewel tones, and has a unique shape that’s meant to be both practical and pleasurable.
The curves ‘n’ swerves along its shaft are designed for targeted G-spot or prostate stimulation, and look like they’d help you find those spots relatively intuitively, whether you’re trying to locate them on your own body or a partner’s. The hook-shaped end, on the other hand, isn’t meant for insertion — it serves as a handle so you can thrust the toy more precisely and comfortably, and makes the Stellar safe to use anally. Plus, it really completes the whole “this isn’t just a sex toy, it’s an arcane tool for evoking mystical pleasure” aesthetic.
Customer reviews of the Stellar are, well, stellar. In particular, a lot of users note that it was comfortable to use even if they’ve previously struggled with penetration, whether due to medical issues, sexual trauma or any other factor. Some people assume glass toys will feel overly aggressive, because of how unforgiving their material is — but the smooth surface of a glass toy can sometimes feel even comfier than fingers or a dick inside you, because of how effortlessly it slides against your skin.
One reviewer on the Unbound website may have summed up this dildo best when they raved, “Stellar is art you can fuck.”
Kate Sloan
Kate Sloan is the author of the books '101 Kinky Things Even You Can Do' and '200 Words to Help You Talk About Sexuality & Gender,' and has reviewed over 300 sex toys on her blog at GirlyJuice.net, to the chagrin of her high school guidance counselor. She also cohosts the podcasts 'The Dildorks' and 'Question Box.'
