Rook Piercing Jewelry

A rook piercing is a cartilage piercing located along the inner ridge of the ear, just above the daith. It passes through the folded ridge of cartilage and enters and exits on the same side of the ear, rather than going through to the back. Because of its placement, it has a more tucked-in look than many outer ear piercings. Learn more in our complete guide to rook piercings.

Rook piercings are generally considered more painful than some other ear piercings because they go through thick cartilage. Pain levels vary from person to person, but discomfort is normal. Choosing an experienced piercer and following aftercare instructions can help reduce unnecessary pain and complications. Our rook piercing guide covers pain, healing, and what to expect.

Rook piercings typically take between 6 and 12 months to fully heal, and sometimes longer. Because cartilage heals slowly, patience and consistent aftercare are important. Even if the piercing looks healed on the outside, the tissue inside may still be healing. For a closer look at the healing process, check out our rook piercing healing guide.

Rook piercings are most commonly done at 16g, though the exact gauge can vary depending on anatomy and the piercer's approach. Your piercer will choose the appropriate size and can tell you what gauge, length, or diameter you'll need when shopping for jewelry later. Read more about rook piercing gauge sizes and jewelry.

Curved barbells are the standard choice for healing rook piercings. The initial barbell is usually longer to allow room for swelling and is downsized later. Implant-grade titanium is often recommended to support smoother healing and reduce irritation. Explore your options in our rook piercing jewelry guide.

You should wait until your rook piercing is fully healed before changing jewelry. Downsizing the initial barbell should be done by a piercer once swelling has gone down. Because rook piercings can be difficult to access, many people continue to have their piercer handle jewelry changes even after healing. Our guide to rook piercings covers jewelry changes and downsizing in more detail.

Clean your rook piercing twice a day with saline spray and avoid touching it otherwise. Do not sleep on the piercing, and avoid pressure from headphones, earbuds, or hats. Crust buildup is normal during healing and should be left alone to fall away naturally. Get the full routine in our rook piercing aftercare guide.

Rook piercings are anatomy dependent and not everyone has a pronounced enough inner ear ridge to support one. Your piercer will assess your ear structure before piercing. If your anatomy does not allow for a rook piercing, alternative placements or a faux rook look may be recommended. Our complete rook piercing guide covers anatomy requirements and alternative options.