People who haven't been pierced by appointment before usually arrive expecting something closer to a mall kiosk — a queue, a quick chat, a gun, and out the door. That's not what happens here, and it's worth explaining why, because the difference is most of the reason people choose us over somewhere closer or cheaper.
This is a walk-through of what actually happens when you book a piercing at Platinum Point — from the moment you arrive at 389 Parnell Road to the moment you leave. No surprises, nothing skipped.
Arriving on Parnell Road
We're on the main strip of the Parnell shops — easy to find, easy to get to. There's metered parking along Parnell Road itself, and a couple of public car parks a short walk away if the street is full. If you're coming from the CBD, it's a few minutes' drive or a short bus ride. From Newmarket, Remuera, or the eastern suburbs, it's closer still.
Because we're appointment-only, there's no queue when you arrive and no one else's piercing happening in the next chair. Your slot is yours. We build in enough time around each appointment that running behind almost never happens — and if it ever does, we'd rather text you than rush someone else.
What "by appointment" actually changes
The appointment-only model isn't a luxury flourish — it changes the actual mechanics of the visit. A walk-in studio is optimised for throughput: get the next person in the chair quickly, because there's another one waiting. An appointment studio is optimised for the opposite — the slot is built around one person, and nothing about the pacing depends on who's next.
In practice that means: no one is watching the clock while you're deciding on a placement, no pressure to pick jewellery quickly because there's a queue, and time for questions that would feel like you're holding up the line somewhere busier.
The consultation, before anything else
Every appointment starts with a conversation, not a needle. We talk about what you're after, look at the anatomy involved, and check whether the placement you had in mind is actually a good fit for your ear or your skin. Sometimes it is exactly right. Sometimes a small adjustment — a slightly different angle, a different gauge — makes a real difference to how it heals and how it sits.
If you're not sure exactly what you want, that's a completely normal place to start from. The conversation is part of the appointment, not a delay before the real part begins.
If you're choosing gold — the tray comes out
For anyone getting a BVLA piece — whether it's your first gold or you're adding to an existing ear — the full tray comes out and you actually get to hold pieces, turn them in the light, and see them against your skin before deciding. We're New Zealand's largest in-stock BVLA selection, which means the choice in front of you is real, not three options because that's what happened to be in stock.
If it were my ear, I'd tell you which one — but the decision is always yours. We're not in a hurry to close it out.
The piercing itself
This part is quick, regardless of how long the conversation before it took. A single-use sterile needle, the mark confirmed with you in a mirror first, and the piercing itself takes seconds. Everything before it — the consult, the anatomy check, the jewellery choice — is where the time actually goes.
Walking out
You leave with clear aftercare instructions, written down, not just spoken quickly on your way out the door. If anything about healing concerns you later, we're a phone call or a return visit away — not a search engine and a guess.
Platinum Point is at 389 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland — open by appointment, Wednesday through Monday. Book online and we'll have everything ready for when you arrive.
Book your appointment →Getting pierced in Parnell — frequently asked questions
Is Platinum Point appointment only, or can I walk in?
Appointment only. We don't take walk-ins. Every booking gets a dedicated slot — usually 30 to 60 minutes depending on the service — so there's no waiting room and no rushing. Book online at platinumpoint.nz/book; same-week appointments are usually available.
Where exactly is the studio?
389 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052 — on the main strip of the Parnell shops. There's metered parking along Parnell Road and a couple of public car parks a short walk away. If you're coming from the CBD, Newmarket, or the eastern suburbs, it's a quick trip.
What happens at a first appointment?
We talk before anything else happens — what you're after, what your ear or anatomy can actually do, and whether the placement you had in mind is the right one. If you're getting gold, the BVLA tray comes out and you choose with time to actually look. Then the piercing itself, which is quick, followed by aftercare instructions you'll actually remember.
What should I bring or do before I arrive?
Eat beforehand and come reasonably rested — low blood sugar is the main reason people feel faint during a piercing, not the piercing itself. Otherwise, nothing special. If you have a particular piece or placement in mind, mention it when you book and we'll have it ready to look at.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. The studio space is set up for one support person to sit in, particularly for first piercings or for children's appointments. Let us know when you book if you're bringing a child so we can plan the timing accordingly.
Planning more than one piercing, or thinking about a fuller ear over time? See our ear curation page, browse the BVLA collection before you come in, or read more about the Parnell studio.