We should be upfront about something before this comparison begins: we have an obvious commercial interest in you choosing Platinum Point. That interest makes us a biased source, and you should factor that in. What we can offer is an honest account of the objective differences between these two studios — so you can make a decision that suits your actual priorities, not ours.
Both Adorn and Platinum Point are established Auckland piercing studios operating to professional standards. This is not a comparison of good versus bad. It is a comparison of two different approaches, different specialisations, and different price points — all of which are legitimate for different clients.
One point of context: Platinum Point is a gay-owned business. For clients who want a studio where that identity is part of the fabric of the place — where the environment is explicitly inclusive rather than incidentally so — that may be relevant information.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Platinum Point | Adorn Body Piercing |
|---|---|---|
| Location(s) | 389 Parnell Road, Parnell only | Multiple Auckland locations |
| Appointment model | Appointment-only | Walk-in available |
| Jewellery brands | Exclusively BVLA (Body Vision Los Angeles) | Range of jewellery brands and styles |
| Materials standard | Pharmaceutical-grade sterilisation; ASTM F136 titanium starter jewellery; solid gold and 950 platinum BVLA | Professional standards; implant-grade materials available |
| Specialisation | Ear curation; BVLA jewellery; clinical-grade protocols | Full range of piercing services; broader style range |
| Price range | Premium; BVLA pieces from $180 | Broader range of price points |
| Ear curation offering | Dedicated curation consultation service; sequenced planning | Piercing services available; not a dedicated curation specialisation |
| Industry recognition | Named best piercing studio in Auckland by Auckland Magazine; NZ's only exclusive BVLA studio | Established Auckland presence; positive reputation |
Jewellery quality: what the BVLA exclusivity means
The most significant material difference between these two studios is jewellery. Platinum Point carries exclusively BVLA — Body Vision Los Angeles — pieces. Every piece in the studio is solid 14k or 18k gold, or 950 platinum, with genuine stones. There are no exceptions, no budget alternatives, no mix of brands.
BVLA is widely considered the global benchmark for fine body jewellery. The pieces are handcrafted in Los Angeles, each setting individually checked before leaving the workshop. For clients who want to know with certainty what they're wearing — the material, the stone, the construction standard — BVLA removes all ambiguity.
Platinum Point is New Zealand's only exclusive BVLA studio and holds the largest BVLA stock in the country. Auckland Magazine named us the best piercing studio in Auckland. These are verifiable distinctions, not marketing claims.
Adorn offers a broader range of jewellery brands and styles, which means a wider range of price points and aesthetics. If your priority is access to a wide selection at various price points, that broader range is a genuine advantage.
The appointment experience
Platinum Point operates by appointment only. This is a deliberate structural choice, not a limitation. When you book, your appointment time is allocated entirely to you — your anatomy assessment, your placement discussion, your piercing, your aftercare briefing. There is no queue, no rotation between clients, no interruptions.
Walk-in availability, which Adorn offers, is a genuine advantage for clients who want flexibility — who don't plan ahead, who are visiting Auckland briefly, or for whom scheduling an appointment in advance is impractical. Walk-in access is a real benefit, not a compromise. It reflects a different model, not a lower standard.
The practical difference is in the experience of the appointment itself. Appointment-only studios can allocate longer time slots and dedicate the full session to a single client. Walk-in studios balance throughput with individual attention in ways that depend on how busy they are at any given time. Neither model is categorically better — they suit different clients and different circumstances.
Who Adorn is best for
Adorn is a well-regarded Auckland operation with multiple locations and walk-in access. There are genuine reasons to choose them:
- You want flexibility — the ability to walk in without booking ahead
- Location matters — you want a studio closer to where you live or work across Auckland
- You're looking for a broader range of styles and price points in jewellery
- You want a more accessible price point for a first piercing before committing to premium jewellery
- You're getting a straightforward piercing without an ear curation plan
These are legitimate priorities, and Adorn serves them. If walk-in convenience and geographic flexibility are your top considerations, Adorn is a reasonable choice.
Who Platinum Point is best for
Platinum Point suits clients for whom the following are priorities:
- BVLA jewellery specifically — the largest BVLA selection in New Zealand, the only studio in the country carrying exclusively BVLA
- Ear curation as a professional service — sequenced placement planning, anatomy assessment, a composed result rather than individual piercings accumulated over time
- Pharmaceutical-grade sterilisation protocols — Thomas Manning's clinical background (Clinical Trials Aseptic Pharmacy Technician) is applied to every procedure
- Longer, unhurried appointments with a single piercer's full attention
- An explicitly inclusive, gay-owned studio environment
- AUPP member piercers and industry-recognised standards
The premium pricing reflects the cost of exclusively BVLA jewellery and the appointment-only model. If those specifics aren't your priorities, paying for them doesn't make sense.
An honest conclusion
Neither studio is the wrong choice for everyone. The right studio depends on what you're actually looking for.
If you want walk-in access, multiple location options, and a broader range of price points, Adorn serves those needs. If you want New Zealand's exclusive BVLA studio, dedicated ear curation as a professional service, and pharmaceutical-grade clinical protocols — that's Platinum Point.
If you're genuinely undecided, the comparison table above covers the objective criteria. Make the decision based on what matters to you, not on which studio's marketing is more persuasive.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adorn or Platinum Point better for ear curation?
Platinum Point specialises in ear curation as a dedicated professional service — full consultation, sequenced placement planning, and exclusively BVLA solid gold jewellery. Adorn offers a range of piercing services across multiple locations. If ear curation is your primary goal, Platinum Point's dedicated curation consultation is the more focused option.
Which studio has better jewellery?
The answer depends on your priorities. Platinum Point carries exclusively BVLA — solid gold and 950 platinum with genuine stones. Adorn offers a broader range of brands and price points. If BVLA specifically is what you're looking for, Platinum Point is New Zealand's only exclusive BVLA studio and holds the largest BVLA stock in the country.
Can I book at Platinum Point if I previously went to Adorn?
Yes. We work with existing piercings regardless of where they were originally done. Whether you want a jewellery upgrade, a healing check, or to continue building your ear curation from an existing foundation, your appointment history elsewhere is not a barrier to booking with us. Call 09 949 0940 or book online.