Crossword Genius

Bright box to stick in the ear (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sparkling

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bright' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'box to stick in the ear' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'box' could be 'ark' (ark is a kind of box) and 'ark' is found within the answer.
'in' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sparkling that I've seen before include "Shining with brilliant points of light" , "like champagne" , "Not still - like diamonds" , "Effervescent" , "Fizzy" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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