Feel the middle of your ear: that hollow is where the conch piercing goes. It's a bold spot, and a spot many people think about for a long time. With a fake conch piercing you see right away how the look suits you, without anything going through your ear.
What is a conch piercing?
The conch is the middle part of your outer ear. The name refers to a shell, and if you look closely at your ear, you'll see why. With a real conch piercing, the jewelry sits in that hollow middle part, so not on the edge of your ear and not in your earlobe.
The effect is striking. As soon as your hair is tucked behind your ear, you see a ring or stud right in the middle of your ear. That makes the conch a favorite for anyone who wants an ear that stands out without getting busy.
Where exactly is your conch?
Grab a mirror and run your finger over your ear from the outside in.
- Helix: the top edge of your ear.
- Conch: the hollow middle part, in the center of the shell.
- Earlobe: the soft part at the bottom.
Do you usually wear your hair down over your ears? Then you only see your conch when you tuck your hair away. That's already a first style choice: do you show it off now and then, or put it in the spotlight with a ponytail?
Conch piercing, no piercing needed: how it works
For this look you use an ear cuff. You clamp it around the edge of your ear, at the thinnest spot, and press it on gently. Nothing goes through your skin. To see exactly how to slide a cuff into place, read how to wear an ear cuff.
Two options suit the conch:
- silver-colored double ear cuff: sleek and smooth, two rings joined by a single line. €9.95.
- gold-colored double ear cuff: same shape, but warm in color. €9.95.
The two rings sit around the edge of your conch, so it looks like you have two piercings side by side. It's a ring around the edge and not a stud in the middle of the hollow. So you get the feel of a conch, but not exactly the same spot. For a first test, that's just enough to see if you like the look.
How to test if the conch suits you
A few minutes in front of the mirror says a lot, but with these checks you'll really know:
- Wear it for a day with your hair the way you normally wear it.
- See if you want to show it off more often, or prefer to keep it half hidden.
- Is it too loose? Squeeze it very gently a bit closer. Not too hard, or it will bend.
- Take it off when you go to sleep or work out.
Are you unsure about a real piercing more broadly? Then trying a piercing before you get it done will help you along.
Gold-colored or silver-colored in your conch
Pick the color of the jewelry you already wear. Do you mostly wear silver-colored earrings, necklaces and rings? Then the silver-colored cuff fits right in. Mostly gold-colored pieces in your collection? Go for the gold-colored one.
Want to dare to mix? That works too. Finish your stack with a smooth silver-colored ring or a smooth gold-colored ring, in the same color or in the other one.
Combining your conch with your helix
You can also wear the double ear cuff on your helix, the top edge of your ear. Want the conch to play the lead? Then keep the rest of your ear calm. Want a full ear stack? Then add a fake helix piercing on the top edge.
Tip: Put your hair in a ponytail before you choose. That way you see right away if your conch shows enough the way you want to wear it.
Building a stack with several pieces? Shipping is free from €20, so from 3 pieces. Two pieces aren't always enough to reach that limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a conch and a helix piercing?
A helix sits on the top edge of your ear. A conch sits in the hollow middle part of your outer ear, so further inside.
Can I wear a conch piercing with no piercing needed?
Yes, with an ear cuff that you clamp around the edge of your ear. The double ring sits around the edge of your conch and gives the look of two piercings. Nothing goes through your ear.
Can I sleep with a fake conch piercing?
No, take it off when you go to sleep or work out. That keeps it looking good and stops it from bending.
Ready to try it? Check out all the fake conch piercings in gold-colored and silver-colored.
