Conch

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Collection: Conch | Gauge: 16g (1.2mm) | Recommended Length/Diameter: 8mm to 10mm labrets, 10mm to 12mm rings | Material: ASTM F136 Implant-Grade Titanium

The conch piercing sits in the wide bowl of cartilage in the centre of the ear, named after the shell it resembles. An inner conch is pierced in the deeper part of the bowl and is worn with a stud; an outer conch sits nearer the rim and can take a large hoop that wraps around the edge of the ear. That open space makes conch jewellery the most visible piece in a curated ear. Flat-back labret studs with a large gem, cluster or disc are the classic inner-conch look, while wide hinged rings give the dramatic conch-hoop style. The conch is the thickest cartilage in the ear, so ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium is the material to heal with: nickel-free, hypoallergenic and light enough that a larger decorative front will not pull on the piercing.

What size jewellery does a conch piercing take?

A conch piercing takes 16g (1.2mm) jewellery. Labret length is 10mm for a fresh piercing and 8mm once the swelling has settled, as the cartilage in the bowl is thicker than the helix or tragus. For a conch hoop, you need a 10mm to 12mm inner diameter so the ring can reach around the outer edge of the ear; an 8mm ring is usually too small. Measure the length of your current labret or the inside of your current ring before ordering.

Conch Jewellery: The Biggest Canvas in the Ear in Implant-Grade Titanium

UK piercers pierce the conch at 16g (1.2mm) and fit a 10mm labret to allow for swelling, downsizing to 8mm after 8 to 12 weeks. Conch hoops need a bigger diameter than any other ear piercing, usually 10mm to 12mm, because the ring has to reach from the bowl around the outer edge of the ear. Healing takes 6 to 12 months and the conch is prone to irritation bumps if the bar is left too long or the ear is slept on. Avoid starting with a hoop, keep in-ear earphones out for the first month and clean with sterile saline only. A conch stud sits well between a helix piercing on the rim and a tragus stud at the front, and many people add a rook barbell above it.

How long does a conch piercing take to heal?

A conch piercing takes 6 to 12 months to heal, with the first 3 months being the most tender. The cartilage is thick and the bowl of the ear is easy to knock, so healing can be slower than a helix. Downsize the labret at 8 to 12 weeks, sleep on the other side, keep earbuds out for at least the first month and clean with saline twice a day. Wait for your piercer to confirm it has healed before switching to a hoop.

Inner conch or outer conch, which should I get?

Choose an inner conch if you want a stud that sits in the middle of the ear, and an outer conch if you want to wear a large hoop that wraps around the edge. The inner conch is pierced deeper in the bowl and suits gems, clusters and discs on a flat-back labret. The outer conch is placed nearer the rim so a 10mm to 12mm ring can reach around it. Both are pierced at 16g and heal with a stud first; a good piercer will check your ear shape and place it for the style you want.

Is a conch piercing painful?

A conch piercing is usually rated around 5 to 6 out of 10. The cartilage in the bowl is thick, so there is firm pressure and a noticeable pop as the needle goes through, followed by a dull ache and some swelling for a few days. It is generally felt less than a rook or daith but more than a lobe. A well-fitted implant-grade titanium labret keeps the piercing stable and reduces the throbbing that comes from movement in the first week.