Two years ago, when I was up at Interlochen, I saw two camp counselors who had rook piercings. After seeing them for the first time, I was mesmerized. They were the absolute coolest piercing I have ever seen. I decided I HAD to have it! However, it was probably best that I waited a while, because I was 13 at the time.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When Six months ago When I was nearing my 15th birthday, my dad asked me the usual question: "What do you want for your birthday?" Instantly, I remembered the gorgeous rook piercing that I had so fallen in love with two years ago, but decided to look more into it before asking. I looked on tons of piercing sites, and read aftercare tips, and decided I was sure I wanted it pierced. I went to my dad and popped the question. He gave me this weird look, but he didn't say no. He just told me to ask my mom about it.
My mom thought it was pretty weird at first, and "too modern", but then I showed her some nice and clean pictures of it online, and she agreed that it DID look kinda cute, and gave me her consent.
I asked around at school where a good, clean piercing studio, and a friend recommended Pangea, and told me to ask for Andrea. So this was it! I was finally getting my rook pierced!
My dad took me to the piercing studio downtown the day after my birthday. When I told Andrea (the piercer) that I was only 15, she looked a little apprehensive about piercing me because apparently you were supposed to be 16 to get cartilage pierced. But after a small talk, she decided that I was mature enough to let me get it pierced a year younger.
She led me to the backroom and I sat down on the table. She told me what she was going to do, and basically led me through the procedure. She changed her gloves a lot and everything was very clean. I decided on a 18g CBR (surgical steel), then she cleaned and made two marks on my right rook with a purple pen and I picked a spot. She wiped the other dot off as I laid down on the table.
The piercer opened all the packages (which had been sterilized and individually wrapped), and said that my piercing uses a receiving tube and a curved needle. She then told me when she counted to three, to take a big breath. As I inhaled, she pushed the needle through. I didn't hear a pop or a crackle like most people say when they get their cartilage pierced, but there was intense pressure. Not pain, but pressure. It was over in five seconds, but my right ear felt like it was on fire. She quickly inserted the jewelry and did a cold compress, which felt really good. Then she popped in the bead and told me I could look.
I got up and went to the mirror, and it was exactly how I wanted it! It was beautiful! I was so happy and pleased, and I thanked her profusely. She gave me anti-bacterial soap and sea salts, and an aftercare booklet.
I didn't have much problem with my rook, except it was hard to clean the first few days because you have you get your finger in curve in your ear, and since the piercing was still sensitive I was scared to mess with it. It did bleed a little, but only for the first two days. I once woke up with blood all over my ear, but that was the last time it bled. Now it's easy to clean, and about three weeks into the piercing, I could sleep on it without any discomfort. I also had to do sea salt soaks everyday, because I get crusties a lot.
The day after I got my rook pierced, everyone was in awe. My friends thought it was the coolest thing ever, especially since everyone at my school basically gets either their lobes or cartilage pierced. Now I'm known as "the girl with the rook piercing," because no one else at my school has it (I don't think..).
About a month ago, I had my plain silver CBR changed to a twisted barbell with two dark blue beads at the ends, and a diamond in the middle. I've gotten so many compliments on the jewelry! It's absolutely gorgeous, and it's actually easier to sleep on than a regular CBR.
I definitely recommend this piercing to anyone who wants something a little "exotic", because it's very cute and delicate, especially if it's the only piercing in the ear besides the lobes.
So far I only have two lobe piercings in each ear, and my right rook, but now I think I'm looking into my left tragus..:)