Rook Piercing
The rook piercing sits through the inner ridge of cartilage above the daith, tucked neatly into the upper part of your ear. It's a bold placement that adds instant edge without being the first thing people notice, which makes it a favourite for anyone building a curated stack. Most people rate it around 6 out of 10 on the pain scale. Our SK Certified piercing specialists will check your anatomy first to make sure the rook is right for you.
- Pain level
- 6/10 (estimated)
- Method
- Needle
- Minimum age:
- 13 years*
- Jewellery type:
- Curved barbell View jewellery options
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Two Piercings From $80
Get two of your favourite standard piercings for just $80 when pierced with selected surgical steel jewellery. Read more
Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
* Available: From 13 years with parental consent or 16 years without parental consent. Check our ID & consent requirements here.
What Is A Rook Piercing?
The rook is a cartilage piercing placed through the inner ridge of the ear, sitting just above the daith and below the upper helix. Because it sits slightly folded into the ear, it has a tucked-away look that still reads as bold once jewellery is in.
Not every ear has the same shape of ridge, so the rook isn't suitable for everyone. Our piercing specialists will always assess your anatomy first to confirm there's enough cartilage to support a comfortable, well-placed piercing. It's also a popular pick if you're already curating and styling the rest of your ear.
What To Expect
Here's how your experience at SkinKandy unfolds from the moment you arrive.
How We Pierce
Your rook is pierced with a single-use hollow needle, never a piercing gun. Our SK Certified piercing specialists are nurse-trained and certified in infection prevention, so every step follows a clean, considered process. You can read more about our approach on our piercing info page.
Choosing Your Jewellery
We pierce the rook with a curved barbell from our dedicated rook earrings collection, available in titanium or 14K gold depending on the look you're after.
Step By Step: Your Rook Piercing Experience
- Your piercing specialist checks your ear anatomy to confirm the rook is a suitable placement.
- They mark the position and get your approval before going ahead.
- The piercing is done with a single needle through the ridge of cartilage.
- Your curved barbell is fitted and you're given full aftercare instructions.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Find Your Nearest Studio
Once you're ready to book, check our age, ID and consent requirements so you know what to bring on the day.
Nearest studios
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Aftercare
Healing a cartilage piercing takes time, and that's completely normal. Sticking to a simple routine every day makes the biggest difference.
Your Daily Routine
Stick to sterile saline and avoid touching the area unnecessarily. Browse our aftercare range or read our full post-piercing aftercare guide for the complete rundown.
- Clean with sterile saline twice daily.
- Avoid swimming for 6 to 8 weeks, including pools, lakes and the ocean.
- Avoid sleeping on the piercing while it heals.
- Be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats pressing against the area.
When Can I Change My Jewellery?
Most people downsize between 6 and 8 weeks, once the swelling has gone down, though full structural healing takes a minimum of 6 months. Find out why downsizing matters and see how the rook compares in our guide to average healing time by piercing type.
- Pierced
- Day one
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Jewellery For Your Rook
The right jewellery makes all the difference to how your rook heals and how it looks once settled.
Starter Jewellery
We pierce with a 16 gauge curved barbell, shaped to sit comfortably against the curve of the ridge while it heals. Every starter piece comes in 316L surgical steel, pre-sterilised and ready to go.
Building Your Stack
Once healed, explore our full range of curved barbells to build out your look. Read our guide to curated ears and the latest trend for styling inspiration.
Not Sure What Metal Suits You?
If you're torn between finishes, our piece on silver, rose gold or gold breaks it down, or browse everything by material to compare options.
FAQs
What is a rook piercing?
It's a cartilage piercing placed through the inner ridge of the ear, just above the daith. It sits in a slightly hidden spot, which gives it a bold but tucked-away look.
Does a rook piercing hurt?
Most people rate it around 6 out of 10. The rook passes through a thicker piece of cartilage, so you'll feel more pressure than a lobe piercing, but it's over quickly. Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
How long does a rook piercing take to heal?
Full structural healing takes a minimum of 6 months. Cartilage heals slower than lobes, so patience and a consistent aftercare routine make a big difference. See our guide to healing time by piercing type for more detail.
What jewellery is used for a rook piercing?
We pierce with a 16 gauge curved barbell. It's shaped to sit comfortably against the curve of the ridge while it heals.
When can I downsize my rook jewellery?
Most people downsize between 6 and 8 weeks, once the swelling has gone down. A shorter bar reduces the risk of snagging and helps the piercing settle.
Can I sleep on my rook piercing?
Avoid sleeping directly on it while it's healing, and be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats putting pressure on the area. Our post-piercing aftercare guide covers this in more detail.
Can I swim after getting a rook piercing?
Avoid swimming, including pools, lakes and the ocean, for 6 to 8 weeks after your piercing.
What's the minimum age for a rook piercing?
You need to be at least 13 years old with parental consent, or 16 years and older without.
Build Your Ear Stack
The rook pairs beautifully with other upper ear cartilage placements for a fuller, more curated look. Read our ear piercing placements guide for inspiration, or explore these popular combinations.
