Standard ear piercings can become generic when you have enough of them. Mixing up your look with a rook piercing is sure to grab attention and keep things fresh!
This article will outline all you need to know about rook piercings including price, procedure details, pain level and healing time. In addition, find 40+ photos that will give you an idea of how it will look on you and the jewelry you want. Quality aftercare products are also included so you can keep your piercing happy and healthy during healing.
What is a Rook Piercing?
A rook piercing is the perforation of the anti-helix, located on the upper ear ridge between the outer and inner conch. Since this piercing is more prominent and is not nestled deep in the ear, it’s known for drawing more attention as a showy cartilage piercing.
Should You Get a Rook Piercing?
Pros:
- Rook piercings stand out and look original since they are located towards the top of the ear, and they can be personalized with flashy jewelry.
- There are a few different variations of the rook if you’re indecisive. These include:
-
- Double rook piercing – two punctures on the inner ridge of the ear. The result is even more attention-grabbing!
- Faux rook piercing – one horizontal perforation with part of the jewelry behind the ear. This variation is reminiscent of a conch piercing and looks great when decorated with studs.
Cons:
- Individual ear anatomy may not allow you to get a rook piercing. Not everyone has a prominent ear ridge and this can create issues during the piercing procedure. This would mean you would have to choose another piercing instead.
- Rook piercings are not the easiest cartilage piercing to perform. This piercing penetrates thick cartilage and can be quite painful.
Rook Piercing Procedure
The procedure itself doesn’t differ much from other cartilage piercings. Be sure to find a reputable piercer that you trust to be thorough.
Your piercer will first put on gloves and set up their area with sterile equipment. They will then clean the piercing area and mark the location on you with a surgical pen. After this, your ear ridge is punctured with a piercing needle, and your piercer will insert your previously chosen jewelry into your piercing. Some discomfort during jewelry insertion is normal.
See the videos below for the full rook piercing procedure.
How Painful Are Rook Piercings?
6 out of 10
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Rook ear piercings rank at a 6/10 on the pain scale because of the associated precise location and thick cartilage. Be aware that this rating is subjective and depends ultimately on your individual pain tolerance.
See also: What’s the most painful piercing?
Keep in mind that the initial pain will be intense but brief. Ask your piercer beforehand if it’s ideal to take ibuprofen or a similar pain reliever to dull the pain. The initial pain from the procedure will be gone in around 30 minutes, but you will feel discomfort and swelling for a few days afterwards.
Healing and Aftercare
Rook piercings usually take around 6 – 8 months to fully heal. However, complete ridge healing could take as much as 12 – 18 months.
Aftercare rules for rook piercings don’t differ much from other cartilage piercings. Cleaning your piercing regularly is the most important habit to remember. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing. Use saline solution twice per day to wash your piercing. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt into an 8 oz glass of warm water to make your own saline wash. Apply the saline onto a clean pad or towel and hold it on your piercing for a few minutes to loosen up any debris. Gently wipe these away and clean your jewelry off without twisting it. Habitually cleaning your piercing helps avoid possible infections or piercing bumps.
Additionally, clothes, phones and other foreign objects should stay away from your ear while your rook piercing is healing.
Read additional piercing care tips.
Rook Image Gallery
Recommended Aftercare Products
Sea salt
This sea salt mixture is excellent for making your own saline solution at home.
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Piercing aftercare spray
Saline spray is perfect for anyone on-the-go. Toss it in your bag and clean your piercing anywhere!
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How to Change Your Rook Jewelry
Rook piercing jewelry should only be changed after your piercing has completely healed. Consult your piercer if you are unsure how long you should wait. Removing jewelry before healing is complete can cause infection or full closure of your piercing.
See the video below for tips on changing your rook jewelry for the first time.
Best Jewelry for Rook Piercings
Initial jewelry should always be high quality. Materials like stainless steel and titanium will ensure your piercing stays safe and healthy. Your piercer will likely recommend a curved barbell as an easy option for healing. You can always change this jewelry once your piercing has healed.
Common rook piercing jewelry includes curved barbells, captive rings, hoop rings, clickers and studs.
Below are some examples to get you started on your new rook jewelry collection.
- Heart Hoop Earring CBR Captive Bead Rings
- Hinged Seamless WildKlass
- Internally Threaded Surgical Steel Curved Barbell Rook Earring with Gems
- Curved Barbell
- 3 Pairs of Cartilage Rook Piercing Studs
- Surgical Steel Ear Cartilage Rook Ring Jewelry Twister Ring
How Much Does a Rook Piercing Cost?
- In the US, rook piercings range from $35 – $50.
- In the UK, rook piercings range from £18 – £40.
- In Europe, rook piercings range from €20 – €35.
These prices usually reflect the quality of the jewelry and experience of the piercer you choose.
Rook Piercing Experiences
One month after rook piercing
Christina Andrusenko
It pisses me off when I can’t find proven information about piercing type I interested in. That is why Piercee was created.
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