There's a subtle art to mastering the perfect Ear Alchemy—the SARAH & SEBASTIAN approach to transformative ear styling and piercing. While traditional ear styling focuses on symmetry, we celebrate the individuality of every ear, embracing their distinct contours as canvases for bold expression. Through thoughtful experimentation and our extensive range of earrings and piercing jewellery, we create considered compositions to elevate your natural features.

Immerse yourself in the world of Ear Alchemy with Tamila Purvis, Head of Ear Alchemy, as she shares her expert guide to ear styling with artistry and precision.

1. HIGHLIGHT YOUR BEST FEATURES

"Every ear is unique, so it’s all about embracing and enhancing your natural contours," says Tamila. "For instance, if you have beautifully wide lobes, consider adorning them with two or three piercings to fill out the space in a considered way."

The classic way to do this is with three piercings in a row, up the outer curve of your ear, but if you're feeling adventurous, opt for a triangular formation or a Rebis piercing—a dual piercing, one on top of another (pictured)—to accentuate the space. A spacious flat—the soft cartilage area between the helix and the conch—also makes for an ideal canvas for multiple piercings or bold pieces, like our most loved Diamond Gravity Earring.

2. CREATE A FOCAL POINT

"Opt for a standout piece in a strategic placement to naturally draw attention and create impact," explains Tamila. "Surround it with understated designs to create balance and enhance its appeal."

A hoop in the daith placement—the inner ridge of the ear—is a great way to create a focal point in the centre of the ear. With graduating diamonds, our Ouroboros Diamond Daith Hoop (pictured) masterfully enhances the natural curve of the inner ear, making it an impressive centrepiece. Here, we've balanced this piece by embellishing the outer contours of the ear with some minimalist diamond styles, including Fine Gossamer Cartilage Earrings in the lobe and helix and the Round Suspense Cartilage Earring III in the forward helix.

3. LEAN INTO REPETITION

"Repeating the same earring or similar design motifs is a simple yet impactful way to create order and cohesion," Tamila explains. "The key is to distribute them thoughtfully across the ear for balance."

Consider a distinctive motif like the Daisy Cartilage Earring or the Aristotle's Lantern Cartilage Earring (pictured). These unique designs bring character to your composition and are perfect for replicating in multiple placements.

4. DON'T SHY AWAY FROM COLOUR

"Coloured gemstones are a great way to bring energy to your ear styling," says Tamila. "Whether you’re drawn to the soft iridescence of opals or the vibrant richness of emeralds, a touch of colour can add depth and dimension to your look."

For a subtle approach, incorporate one or two coloured gemstone pieces into an all-gold composition, allowing them to take centre stage. For a more vibrant curation, stack gemstones in a single hue, like our Emerald Cluster Earrings and Verdigris Cluster Hoops, or mix a range of different colours to create a striking ear.

5. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

"You can never go wrong with an all-diamond ensemble," emphasises Tamila. "The more diamonds, the better—scattered across the ear to illuminate every curve."

Our Suspense Earrings (pictured) are ideal for creating a diamond-forward look. With a minimalist setting and diamonds in various shapes, they appear to float effortlessly along the ear, creating a standout composition.

6. EMBRACE NEGATIVE SPACE

To create intrigue in a pared-back ear with simple everyday styles, Tamila suggests incorporating at least one unique design to create intrigue and let each piece shine:  "If you're in the mood for a more minimal curation, or you only have a few piercings, embrace the space and get experimental with the pieces you choose. It's an opportunity to showcase something a little bit different."

Even subtle pieces with a twist will do the trick here, like our Neptune's Earrings or Neptune's hoops (pictured) with petite champagne diamonds, inspired by the spiked contours of sea urchins.

7. INCORPORATE DYNAMIC PIECES

"Dynamic pieces like drop earrings that dangle and shift with every movement bring a unique sense of drama to your ear styling," says Tamila. "The way their fluidity catches and reflects light in a way that draws the eye, elevates even the simplest of outfits."

For a refined approach, pair a single statement piece, like our Urchin Cartilage Earring, with minimalist studs to highlight its movement. For a more layered effect, combine various shapes—mixing studs, and hoops with dangling diamonds—to create a multidimensional composition. To make a bolder statement, layer multiple drop earrings and pieces with cascading elements for a striking arrangement that sparkles with every turn.

8. THROW OUT THE RULEBOOK

"Sometimes it's worth forgetting the rigidity of rules—after all the beauty of ear styling lies in its idiosyncrasy!" exclaims Tamila. "Let your imagination run wild when it comes to earring combinations, as this makes for a dynamic composition that feels out of the box and also tells your own little story." 

The best way to approach this is by deliberately placing different shapes and motifs together—pick your favourite pieces and play with how they sit in different contours and parts of the ear. Have each piece create its own statement in different sections of the ear and mix and match designs until it feels right—the goal is to have fun with it.

EAR ALCHEMY EAR STYLING: BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Crafting your unique Ear Alchemy is an exciting personal journey; a testament to your style and individuality, and a celebration of your unique ear anatomy.

Through an immersive experience, our complimentary Ear Alchemy Styling Appointment is the ultimate discovery session to explore ear styling as a form of self-expression and browse our extensive range of stud earrings, hoops and piercing jewellery.

Each appointment is tailored to you, with expert advice and personalised guidance from our dedicated piercing team, including piercing placements, creative compositions and jewellery combinations based on your distinctive ear anatomy.

Book your Ear Alchemy Styling appointment with SARAH & SEBASTIAN today.

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Emerald Cluster Cartilage Earring

Urchin Cartilage Earring

Emerald Suspense Cartilage Earring