We have a commercial interest in this comparison — that should be stated clearly at the outset. This article is written by Platinum Point, one of the two studios being compared. We have made every effort to represent both studios accurately and fairly, but you should read this knowing that context.
Both studios operate in Auckland and both perform professional piercing. They serve meaningfully different markets with different service models and different price points. The question of which is right for a given client is a genuine one with a genuine answer that depends on what that client is looking for.
Platinum Point is a gay-owned business. We run an inclusive, explicitly welcoming space for all clients, and we note that because it is part of who we are and what we offer.
Side-by-side overview
| Factor | Platinum Point | Skin Kandy |
|---|---|---|
| Locations | Single studio — 389 Parnell Road, Auckland | Franchise model — multiple locations across NZ |
| Booking model | Appointment-only | Walk-in and appointment availability varies by location |
| Jewellery brands | BVLA exclusively (solid 14k/18k gold, 950 platinum, genuine stones) | Range of brands; varies by location |
| Starter jewellery | ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium | Ask your specific location directly |
| Specialisation | Ear curation, BVLA jewellery, complex placements | Broad range of piercing styles and placements |
| Price range | Higher — reflects jewellery quality and appointment model | More accessible — broader market positioning |
| Recognition | Named best piercing studio in Auckland — Auckland Magazine | Established NZ franchise with national presence |
Jewellery and standards
The most concrete difference between the two studios is jewellery. Platinum Point carries only BVLA — Body Vision Los Angeles — which is handcrafted in Los Angeles in solid 14k and 18k gold, 950 platinum, and genuine stones. We are New Zealand's only exclusive BVLA studio and hold the largest BVLA stock in the country. Every piece is implant-grade and biocompatible for healed piercings.
Starter jewellery at Platinum Point is ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium — the current industry standard for healing piercings. It is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and inert in tissue.
Skin Kandy's jewellery offering varies by location. If jewellery materials are a priority for you, ask the specific Skin Kandy location you're considering what their starter jewellery is made from and what brands they carry for upgrades.
Platinum Point was named the best piercing studio in Auckland by Auckland Magazine. Our AUPP-trained piercers work to the association's standards for placement, sterilisation, and aftercare. Pharmaceutical-grade sterilisation protocols are applied to all instruments — a standard that comes directly from our head piercer Thomas Manning's background as a Clinical Trials Aseptic Pharmacy Technician.
The appointment experience
Platinum Point is appointment-only. That model exists because the kind of service we offer — thorough anatomy assessment, unhurried placement discussion, precise marking and confirmation — requires dedicated time. A single piercing appointment runs 30–45 minutes. An ear curation consultation runs longer. You are not sharing your piercer's attention with a queue.
Skin Kandy's franchise model prioritises accessibility. Multiple locations across New Zealand, variable walk-in availability, and a broader range of piercing styles served across a wider market. For clients who want a piercing without lead time, or who are not near Parnell, that accessibility has real value.
The appointment-only model is not inherently superior — it reflects a different set of priorities. Whether it is the right fit depends on what you want from the experience.
Price difference
Platinum Point is more expensive than Skin Kandy. That is a straightforward fact.
The price difference reflects several things: the cost of BVLA jewellery (solid gold and genuine stones carry a material cost that fashion jewellery does not); the length of appointments; the pharmaceutical-grade sterilisation protocols; and the specialist expertise in ear curation and complex placements.
This is not a brand premium for its own sake. You are paying for a longer appointment, higher-specification jewellery, and a specific set of protocols. Whether that represents better value depends entirely on what you are prioritising. For a client who wants one lobe piercing with a quick, affordable experience, Platinum Point's price point may be more than the situation requires. For a client building a considered ear curation with BVLA pieces, it reflects the actual cost of what is being delivered.
Who Skin Kandy is best for
Skin Kandy serves clients who want accessible, broadly available piercing across multiple New Zealand locations. Their franchise model means consistent availability in centres where specialist studios don't exist. For straightforward placements at accessible price points, with broad style availability, Skin Kandy serves a legitimate market well. If you are not in Auckland, or if your priority is accessibility and cost, that is worth acknowledging honestly.
Who Platinum Point is best for
Platinum Point is the right choice for clients who want BVLA jewellery — the global benchmark for fine body jewellery — and the considered service that goes with it. Ear curation as a professional practice, pharmaceutical-grade protocols, AUPP-trained piercers, and an explicitly inclusive, gay-owned space. Named best studio in Auckland by Auckland Magazine, we attract clients who treat their ear as a long-term composition rather than a series of individual decisions.
If the jewellery matters as much as the piercing, and if you want an appointment that is genuinely about your specific ear and its specific needs, Platinum Point is the right studio. Book a session or browse the jewellery collection to get a sense of what we carry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skin Kandy safe?
We cannot audit Skin Kandy's specific protocols. If you're considering any studio — ours included — ask them directly about their jewellery materials, sterilisation process, and whether they use single-use needles. These are reasonable questions that any reputable studio will answer without hesitation. The answers will tell you what you need to know.
Which is better value?
That depends entirely on what you are purchasing. Both studios offer genuine value at different price points for different clients. If BVLA jewellery and specialist curation expertise are priorities, Platinum Point represents good value for what you receive. If accessible pricing and broad availability matter more, Skin Kandy's value proposition is real. Neither is objectively better — they serve different needs.
Can I transfer my curation from Skin Kandy to Platinum Point?
Yes. We work with healed piercings done at any studio. If your existing piercings are fully healed, you can come in for a jewellery upgrade appointment, a curation consultation, or to add new placements. We assess each ear as it is, regardless of where the original work was done.