You’ll likely have heard of a tragus or daith piercing, but have you heard of a rook piercing? Located on the upper part of the ear (above the daith), on the ridge between the outer and inner sections of the ear. The rook piercing is a little more unknown and unique, and a great piercing to add to your ear curation!
Rook Piercing Placements:
With the classic you are able to see both entry and exit points of the piercing, however there are a couple othe rook styles you can get!
Hidden Rook
The Hidden Rook is a unique ear piercing that sits beneath the ridge of the rook, creating the illusion of jewellery floating underneath the ear’s natural anatomy.
Faux Rook
The Faux Rook is a unique ear piercing placed on the flat cartilage just above the upper ridge of the ear’s natural rook to create a floating illusion affect.
Rook Piercing Jewellery
All of our rook piercing are done using our sterilised catheter needle method; the process is over within seconds, and you’re able to choose from a range of our stunning rook piercing jewellery styles:
For the classic rook every piercing comes with the choice of two Curved Barbell metal types included in the piercing! Surgical Steel and 24K Gold PVD Surgical Steel. However you can upgrade to any other Curved Barbell styles.
- Curved Barbell – best for healing as it allows for swelling and doesn’t twist. Titanium rook piercing jewellery is great as it’s nickel-free and good for sensitive skin! Check out our range of rook piercing barbells online here.
- Hoop/ring – a popular option, perfect if you’re wanting to create a stylish curated ear. You can also add charms to a hinged ring to really elevate your look! Check out our range of rook piercing hoops, rings, and charms online here!
However both our Hidden Rook and Faux Rook can be done with a flatback stud. With these piercing you have the option of 4 metal types to choose from in our orb flatback studs including: Surgical Steel, 24K Gold PVD, Rose Gold PVD and Black PVD.
- Flatback Stud – we have over 200+ styles in our flatback stud range that you can upgrade to for both Faux Rook and Hidden rook. We reccomened with our Hidden rook piercing to upgrade to a flatback attachent with a little dangly charm to really show the hidden floating affect. Check out our range of flatback studs online here!
The Rook Piercing Procedure
Here’s what to expect during your rook piercing appointment at Essential Beauty:
- Consent & ID: You’ll complete a digital consent form and show valid ID.
- Jewellery Selection: Choose from the jewellery included in the price, or upgrade to gorgeous designs like double gem curved barbells, gorgous flatback designs, or crystal styles.
- Marking the Placement: Your ear is cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, then your piercer marks the entry and exit points. You’ll stand in front of a mirror to approve the placement.
- The Piercing: A sterile clamp is applied, and a single-use needle pierces the skin. An 16-18 gauge autoclaved curved barbell or flatback stud is inserted immediately.
- Aftercare Advice: Expect slight redness, swelling, or bleeding – this is completely normal and subsides quickly with proper care.
Does a Rook Piercing Hurt?
Pain levels are different for each individual and will depend on the person’s pain tolerance. Cartilage piercings tend to hurt more than soft tissue piercings, so we believe the pain level for a rook piercing is about a 6/10, similar to a helix or flat piercing.
Healing Time & Aftercare
Rook piercings can take 12–24 months (or longer) to fully heal. Healing depends on your general health, lifestyle, and how closely you follow aftercare.
- Weeks 1-2 clean twice daily with Sterilear Step-1 Piercing Spray.
- Weeks 3 and onwards Clean twice daily with Sterilear Step-2 Piercing Spray.
- Avoid sleeping on your piercing.
- Do not touch, twist, or knock your jewellery.
- Avoid tight clothing that may rub.
- Treat piercing bumps with Calm Piercing Bump Treatment Dots.
Remember, piercings heal from the outside in. Even if it looks healed on the surface, the inside may still be tender for months.
Downsizing & Jewellery Changes
Once healing progresses, you’ll need to downsize your jewellery. Long bars can catch on clothing and increase the risk of migration. A piercer can help assess when it’s safe to change – usually around the 8-12-week mark for a shorter bar, with full jewellery freedom after complete healing.
Signs you may be ready to downsize:
- No redness or discharge.
- No pain around the piercing site.
- At least 12-20 weeks (3-6 months) have passed.
We always recommend coming back to the salon for your first changeover so your piercer can check healing and insert the jewellery for you.
Ready to Get Your Rook Pierced?
A rok piercing is a fun, stylish, and confidence-boosting choice – whether you want a subtle sparkle or a bold statement piece. At Essential Beauty, our Piercing Experts are here to guide you through every step, from consultation and placement to aftercare and jewellery upgrades.
Book your rook piercing online today or visit your local Essential Beauty salon to start your piercing journey!