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Man with styled hair wearing a light-colored sweater against a neutral background conch piercing
Person with styled hair wearing a white shirt against a neutral background
Person with styled hair wearing a white shirt against a neutral background with a conch piercing
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Man with styled hair wearing a light-colored sweater against a neutral background conch piercing
Person with styled hair wearing a white shirt against a neutral background
Person with styled hair wearing a white shirt against a neutral background with a conch piercing

Conch Piercing

A conch piercing sits in the center of the ear cartilage and can be styled in a way that feels subtle, bold, or somewhere in between. It’s one of the most versatile cartilage piercings, but placement matters. The right conch piercing should work with your anatomy, your jewelry, and the way you want your stack to live long-term.

At Stacked, we take a thoughtful, anatomy-led approach to every conch piercing. That means we look at the shape and depth of your ear, talk through your overall goals, and choose jewelry that is designed for both healing and everyday comfort. Placement matters. So does what goes in it.

Please note: 

Hoops can be worn later, once the cartilage is fully settled. For most people, that is typically around 12+ months.

 

Why Stacked Piercing?

Why get a conch piercing at Stacked?

Because cartilage piercing should feel considered.

We don’t rush. We map your anatomy, help you choose jewelry that is hypoallergenic and designed for healing, and place everything with long-term comfort in mind. No piercing guns. No intimidating energy. Just thoughtful placement, curated jewelry, and guidance that continues after the appointment. That approach is core to The Stacked Method™ .

Cost + Age Requirements

Conch Piercing Fee: $70

Age Requirement: 15+

Appointment Time: 30 Minutes

Upon booking your appointment, the piercing fee is due in full.

The piercing fee does not include the cost of jewelry.

We have options across a range, from just getting started to more elevated pieces. You can browse a few options in our Lookbook.

We pierce with ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium flat back posts and threadless tops. Helix piercings are typically done at 16g, with post lengths usually ranging from 5/16" (8mm) to 3/8" (10mm) depending on your tissue and anatomy. Proper fit matters here. Jewelry that is too tight can create pressure, while jewelry that is too long can shift and catch more easily.

Hoops can be worn later, once the cartilage is fully settled. For most people, that is typically around 12+ months.

A conch piercing can do a lot. It can anchor a stack, add structure to the center of the ear, or stand on its own. But because it sits in cartilage, it’s not something to rush. Good placement, the right jewelry, and proper follow-through make all the difference.

That’s the point of Stacked. We design piercing for how it lives on your body, not just how it looks on day one. That language is directly in line with Stacked’s existing brand positioning and press messaging around Earchitecture™, anatomy-led design, jewelry expertise, and long-term wear.

Conch Piercing Process

Conch piercing process


We’ll take a look at your ear anatomy and confirm whether a conch piercing is the right fit.

Your piercer will mark the placement based on your anatomy, your jewelry choice, and how you want the piercing to work with any existing or future piercings.

Once you approve the placement, your piercing is performed by one of our state-licensed piercers with a sterile, single-use hollow needle.

Jewelry is inserted immediately after the piercing.

Before you leave, we’ll walk you through aftercare, healing expectations, and when to come back for a check-in or downsize.

Spa-like environment

Expert, state-licensed piercing professionals

Support for proper healing

14k solid gold + implant grade titanium

Need to cancel?

We get it, life happens. If you cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment, your piercing fee will be refunded in full.

Questions? Give us a call or email us at 815-782-2533 support@stackedpiercing.com.

Conch Piercing

$70.00

Conch Piercing Information

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Pain Level 5-7/10

Pain is individual, but most people describe a conch piercing as a quick sharp pinch followed by pressure, then a few hours to a few days of warmth, throbbing, or tenderness. Cartilage piercings usually feel more intense than lobe piercings because the tissue is thicker and has less blood supply, which also makes healing slower.

 
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Conch Piercing Healing Timeline

Healing Time: 6–12+ months

Conch piercings are cartilage piercings, so they heal more slowly than lobes. Many sources put cartilage healing in the 6-to-12-month range, and the Association of Professional Piercers notes that piercings can seem healed on the outside before the inside is actually ready.

Hoops can be worn later, once the cartilage is fully settled. For most people, that is typically around 12+ months.

 
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Downsizing

This is one of the most important parts of healing well. A post that’s too long for too long can shift, catch, and create unnecessary irritation. The APP notes that many piercings require a downsize before they are fully healed.

A typical conch downsize window is often around 6–10 weeks, depending on swelling, jewelry style, and how your body is healing. Some people need more time. Others heal quicker. We’ll be here every step of the way during your healing process with guided aftercare and personalized support.

A piercing starts in the studio, but the healing process is each client's responsibility and can’t happen here. At Stacked, we require our clients to come back in for a six-week checkup. This way, we can help troubleshoot any concerns you may have, take a peek at the healing piercing, and give advice as needed.

 

Piercing Aftercare

What to do, what to look out for, and when to contact us.

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Keep It Simple

  • Wash your hands before touching it
  • Clean with sterile saline while healing
  • Dry gently with clean disposable products
  • Do not twist, spin, or rotate the jewelry
  • Avoid sleeping on that side
  • Avoid pressure from headphones, helmets, hats, or phones when possible
  • Don’t change the jewelry early
  • Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, or harsh cleansers
  • Our bodies heal the piercings; saline just keeps it clean. Anything else can be irritating since it’s an open wound

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Normal Healing Signs

During healing, it’s normal to have:

  • Mild swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Some crusting
  • Occasional redness after being bumped or cleaned
  • A piercing that feels fine one day and slightly irritated the next

APP guidance notes that some bleeding, swelling, tenderness, bruising, itching, and whitish-yellow discharge that dries into crust can all be part of normal healing.

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When to check in

Reach out if you have:

  • Increasing pain instead of gradual improvement
  • Significant swelling that doesn’t settle
  • Jewelry that feels too tight
  • Embedding concerns
  • Heat, spreading redness, or discharge that seems unusual
  • A bump that keeps getting worse

Cancellations

If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, your deposit will be kept and treated as the cancellation fee. If you cancel before the 24 hour window, your piercing fee will be refunded in full.

Rescheduling

Need to move your appointment? You can reschedule without a fee as long as it’s more than 24 hours in advance. There will be a link to reschedule in your appointment confirmation email.

Late Arrivals + Documentation

Arriving more than 5 minutes late or not having the required documentation will be treated as a cancellation, and your deposit will be retained. If you’re running late, call us 815-782-2533 — if availability allows, we may be able to move you to a later time.