A nath is a large decorative nose ring, traditionally worn by brides and often joined by a chain to the hair or the ear. Imitation nath and smaller nose rings and studs (nose pins) are made in Rajkot in kundan, pearl, American diamond and gold-tone styles.
The key choice is the fitting. A nose ring is either worn through a piercing, or clipped or pressed onto the nose without one. Pierced pieces count as body-contact jewellery and face stricter material rules.
Types
- Bridal nath: a large ring with stones and pearls, usually with a support chain.
- Nose pins (laung or phul): small studs for daily wear.
- Small rings and hoops: simple rings for daily or fusion wear.
- Clip-on or press-on nath: for customers without a piercing, common in costume and bridal hire ranges.
Safety and materials
Any part inserted into a piercing should be made from a skin-friendly material such as surgical stainless steel, titanium or sterling silver. In the EU and UK, parts inserted into pierced parts of the body may release no more than 0.2 µg/cm² of nickel per week, a stricter limit than for other jewellery. A plated brass wire through the nose can fail once the plating wears.
For many export buyers the simplest route is to sell clip-on nath and decorative pieces in imitation metals, and to source pierced nose pins in steel or silver, tested before sale. See earring backs and hypoallergenic options for the same logic applied to earrings.
What to check
- The wire or post material, confirmed by test report for pierced pieces.
- Smooth ends with no burrs that could tear the skin.
- Clip-on pieces grip firmly without pinching.
- Support chains are long enough and their hooks hold securely.
What this means for a buyer
Decide pierced or clip-on for each design, and test pierced pieces for nickel release. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing, and has samples tested at NABL-accredited labs before production. Start with a free sourcing review.