Rook Piercing: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

A rook piercing is located on the fold of cartilage above the daith. This cool little piercing is dubbed by many as a great addition to any alt look. It is still one of the more unusual ear piercings and looks great with either a curved barbell or BCR. Find out more about rook piercings with our handy list of FAQs.

Are rook piercings painful?

Rook piercing pain will vary for each person and perspective can change depending on which other piercings you have experienced. This piercing will hurt because it is passing through a thick piece of cartilage but many rate the pain at low to medium. It will be more painful than lobe piercing and tends to be rated about 4 to 5 out of 10 on the pain scale.

How to clean rook piercing?

Rook piercing aftercare is essential for getting your new piercing to heal properly and without any problems. We recommend bathing the area twice a day with a saltwater solution or Tea Tree Oil. When cleaning your piercing be gentle so you don’t knock the jewellery and try to remove any fluid from the piercing. Keeping your rook piercing clean will minimise the chance of infection.

When can I change my rook piercing?

It is best to wait at least a year before you change your rook piercing. Changing the jewellery before your piercer has recommended can be tempting as it can look as if you piercing has already healed completely but it is best to be patient as this will give your new rook piercing the chance to fully heal. Your patience will pay off in the long run!

Can you sleep on a rook piercing?

Our number one rule is that you should not sleep on a new cartilage piercing, at least until it is fully healed. Putting pressure on the piercing will prevent it from healing and may cause migration. Once the piercing is fully healed you can sleep on your ear however you may still experience some movement and you may notice the angle of your piercing tilting. Alternative options include sleeping on a U shaped or doughnut shaped pillow as this will leave space for your ear.

What is the rook piercing good for?

A common misconception is that rook piercing benefits include migraine relief, similar to the daith piercing. This comes from the location of the daith and rook being confused. The rook piercing is good for adding an alternative piercing to your ear piercing collection but is unlikely to have any other benefits relating to health. Other than maybe a confidence boost from your new super cute piercing!

Does rook piercing help with anxiety?

People often think you can get a rook piercing for anxiety however they are probably thinking of the daith. The daith piercing has been found to have benefits to relieve anxiety and stress-induced migraines due to working with pressure points. This is purely anecdotal and is not currently backed-up with scientific study. The ear piercing’s location can be linked to acupuncture reflex points.

Are daith and rook piercings the same?

The rook piercing and daith piercing are not the same. The daith piercing is placed in the inner ridge of the ear close to the ear canal whereas the rook piercing is placed on the middle ridge of the ear, above the daith. This can lead to confusion as to the benefits of each piercing.

Are rook piercings hard to heal?

Rook piercing healing can be hard if the proper aftercare is not followed. Cartilage ear piercings are sensitive to being knocked so make sure to take care not to sleep or put pressure on your new piercing. By cleaning your new rook piercing twice a day with a saltwater solution or Tea Tree Oil you should find that rook piercing healing time is about 3 – 9 months. To get your piercing to heal make sure to touch it as little as possible and do not twist the piercing jewellery.

Is rook piercing dangerous?

Rook piercing has the same risks as any other ear cartilage piercing. There are some things you don’t need to worry about such as rook piercing swelling which is natural to experience during the first week or two of having your rook piercing. However, if you experience swelling after this time or excessive amounts of pain then you may have a rook piercing infection. Consult your doctor or piercer for advice as you may need antibiotics.

In most cases, rook piercings will heal with no problem if they are cleaned twice a day and not knocked. However, it is important to be aware that migration can occur. If you notice your piercing jewellery has moved from the original piercing site than consult your piercer as to the best course of action.

Have you considered the different types of rook piercing available? Like many cartilage piercings, you can take your rook piercing one step further by having a double rook piercing which features two piercings clustered together in the rook position. Since everyone’s ears are different shapes you will need to consult your piercer to find out if your ear is large enough to support two rook piercings.

Decided on getting a rook piercing? Make sure to check out our Piercing Guides so you know what to expect if you visit one of our Blue Banana piercing studios. Already a piercing pro? Skip straight to rook piercing jewellery to customise your piercings.

Rook Piercing Procedure

Decided on getting your rook piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Please ensure that you have checked the ear piercing age restriction before coming to the store. In a Blue Banana studio, the rook piercing age restriction is 16 (ID may be required) or 13 with parental consent from a parent or guardian who is present.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then the piercer will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the piercing location.

The rook piercing typically involves a sterilised gauge needle which your piercer will pass through the cartilage, inserting the jewellery in the process. The piercing site is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can check that you are happy with the location.

Rook Piercing Aftercare Advice

The rook piercing typically takes 3-9 months to fully heal due to it being a cartilage piercing.

During the healing process, there are some activities you will want to avoid such as sleeping on your new piercing and swimming. Knocking or putting pressure on a cartilage piercing can cause the angle to change and the healing process to take longer so be sure to take extra care not to catch your new piercing jewellery and to keep up with your aftercare.

Clean your rook piercing twice a day with salt water solution or Tea Tree Oil by gently bathing it using cotton wool.

While it is important to ensure your general ear hygiene is first rate, it is also advisable to avoid using soap on your new piercing so be sure to take extra care while washing your ears and removing ear wax.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Rook Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to rook piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Rook Piercing Hoop
Rook Piercing Ring
Rook Piercing Jewellery

Your rook piercing will most likely be done with a curved barbell as this reduces the risk of the jewellery catching during the healing process. It is vital for the healing process that you remain patient and don’t change your jewellery until your piercer has advised you to do so.

When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – everyone’s ears are different sizes, so make sure to pick jewellery that sits just right in your ear. If you are wearing a ring in your ear you will want to make sure it fits snugly. Make sure you also find out what gauge (thickness of jewellery) you have been pierced with.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. Titanium jewellery is a popular choice due to the hypoallergenic and non-corrosive qualities.

We generally recommend that for new piercings you choose jewellery with a wider diameter or length. This can allow for extra room in case of any swelling. Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.