Apparatus for piercing the earlobe to produce an opening for the wearing of earrings. A relatively movable anvil and carriage are provided. The carriage mounts a precompressed spring, bearing against a piercing dart. A spring housing and barrel on the carriage are also relatively movable. The earlobe is placed between the anvil and carriage and the carriage moved into engagement with the earlobe. Further pressure on the carriage produces relative movement between the spring housing and barrel and this relative movement causes dual triggers to be cammed out of engagement with the piercing dart. The movement of the triggers releases the dart which pierces the earlobe and is guided into a catch button on the anvil. A catch spring engages the shaft of the piercing dart and holds the parts in association so that the body portion of the apparatus may be removed.