Stabilized colloidal compositions and methods of making and using the compositions are provided. In embodiments, a stabilized colloidal composition comprises metal halide perovskite nanocrystals dispersed within a liquid phase medium comprising a synthesis solution from which the metal halide perovskite nanocrystals were synthesized, the synthesis solution comprising a dynamic binding compound capable of forming a covalent bond to surfaces of the metal halide perovskite nanocrystals as a dynamic binding ligand; and a stability promoter.