Curated ear photography
Platinum Point/Ear Curation
Parnell — Auckland

The curated
ear

A long-term creative partnership. Anatomy-mapped, sequenced, built with BVLA gold across multiple visits.

NZ's only exclusive BVLA account · 100+ pieces in-studio · Parnell, Auckland

Begin an Enquiry How It Works
Mapping consultation
What it is

A piercing plan, not a single piercing

Ear curation is the process of building a layered aesthetic across the ear that respects how cartilage heals, how jewellery stacks, and how a face is framed.

It typically unfolds across three to five appointments over twelve to eighteen months. We begin by understanding the outcome you want, map your anatomy, and then build a placement sequence that lets each piercing settle before the next is added.

The result is an ear that reads as one composition, not a collection of separate decisions made years apart.

The approach is Thomas's: anatomy first, aesthetics second, long-term outcome always.

Most clients arrive without a fixed vision. Working it out together is what the consultation is for.

T
Thomas Manning
Head Piercer · BVLA Specialist · All ear curation
Begin your enquiry
The Process

Four stages. One vision

01
Consultation
An unhurried conversation. We talk about your aesthetic references, lifestyle, and any prior piercings, healed or not.
02
Mapping
We photograph your ear and mark a proposed placement plan, showing the full sequence across multiple visits.
03
Piercing
First placements happen on the same visit, or at your next appointment. Jewellery is selected from the BVLA collection to match the plan.
04
Building
We revisit every four to six months as healing allows, adding placements in sequence. By the end of the plan, the ear reads as a single planned piece.
The Canvas

Every ear is unique

No two ears are built the same. Cartilage thickness, fold depth, lobe shape, and the angle of every ridge vary person to person. A placement that works beautifully on one ear may be anatomically unsuitable on another.

  • HelixOuter cartilage rim. Suited to chains, clusters, and staggered pairs.
  • ConchThe inner bowl. A statement placement for larger, prominent pieces.
  • DaithInner fold. Best suited to rings and seamed hoops.
  • TragusThe small cartilage flap. A classic placement for delicate flat-backs.
  • LobeSoft tissue. The foundation of most stacks.

See how placements sit together on the interactive Ear Builder →

Anatomy diagram / photography
Curated work

From our chair

@platinumpoint.piercing
Curated ear — full
Helix sequence
Conch feature
Lobe stack
Daith & tragus
Long-term plan
The consultation fee

A dedicated service

Some studios offer curation as an add-on. We don't.

The $150 covers a dedicated 60-minute appointment: full anatomy assessment, a mapped placement plan, design concepts, and jewellery references specific to your ear. That plan has value whether you proceed that day or not.

We hold New Zealand's only exclusive BVLA account, with 100+ pieces across 14k and 18k gold. The consultation is where the work begins: your anatomy, what you're drawn to, and what's available in-studio.

Curation is a craft service. The fee reflects the time and attention before a single piece is selected.

Questions

What to expect

What is ear curation?
Ear curation is building a layered aesthetic across the ear over time, accounting for how cartilage heals, how jewellery stacks, and how a face is framed. Tom or Kat maps your anatomy, plans the placement sequence across multiple appointments, and guides you toward an ear that reads as one composition.
Do I need to know what I want before coming in?
No. Most clients arrive with some sense of direction, reference images or a general aesthetic, but no fixed plan. That's normal. Working out the plan together, against your anatomy and the available pieces, is what the first appointment is for.
How long does ear curation take?
A complete ear typically takes 12–18 months. Each cartilage piercing needs 9–12 months to heal before adjacent placements can be added, so the sequencing is deliberate. Individual appointments are 60–90 minutes.
Can I get multiple piercings at one appointment?
Sometimes. Lobe piercings can often be placed in pairs at one session. For cartilage we're more conservative. Multiple piercings in close proximity compete for healing resources and can compromise the outcome. We plan the sequence so each placement heals fully before the next is added.
What jewellery is used?
Starter jewellery during healing is implant-grade titanium. Once healed, we transition to BVLA: solid 14k or 18k gold with hand-set genuine stones. Platinum Point is New Zealand's only exclusive BVLA account, with 100+ pieces in-studio. Tom selects pieces based on your anatomy and the direction established at each visit.
How much does ear curation cost?
The initial consultation is $150, covering your anatomy assessment, placement plan, and jewellery guidance. Individual piercings are $170 each; BVLA starts from $250 per piece. See the full pricing page for detail.
Do I need existing piercings?
No. Some start from scratch, some have healed lobes and want to add cartilage. The consultation establishes the starting point.
Begin

Start your curation

A first curation appointment is 90–120 minutes. We'll map your ear, discuss the plan, and place the first piercing if the time allows.

Begin an Enquiry Explore BVLA

Already decided? Book your consultation directly →

Practical
Appointment length
90–120 minutes for a first curation consult
Build timeline
A full plan typically runs 12–18 months across 3–5 visits
Hours
Mon, Wed–Fri 11am–6pm · Sat 10am–6pm · Sun 10am–3pm
Atelier
389 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland

Curation clients travel from Wellington, Christchurch, and Sydney for the collection.