The nath is one of the most regional pieces in Indian jewellery. Each community has its own shape, and the wrong shape does not sell. For wholesalers, getting regional styles right is the whole game.
Regional nath styles
| Style | Region | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Marathi (Maharashtrian) nath | Maharashtra | Curved, cashew-like shape with pearls and a red or green central stone, worn on the left nostril; a must for brides and festivals such as Gudi Padwa |
| Punjabi and North Indian bridal nath | Punjab and the North | Large ring with Kundan and a chain to the hair |
| Rajasthani nath | Rajasthan | Round with stones and pearls, often with a chain to the ear |
| Tehri or Garhwali nath | Uttarakhand | Very large, ornate ring |
| Bengali nath | Bengal | Delicate, with a chain |
| Mookuthi | Tamil Nadu and the South | Small nose stud with kemp or CZ |
| Bulak | Various | A pendant worn from the septum |
Naths carry strong regional identity, especially for brides, so stock the styles your customers' communities wear.
Clip-on vs pierced
Many customers do not have pierced noses or want a larger nath for one occasion, so clip-on (pressing) naths are a large share of imitation sales. Check that the clip holds firmly without pinching and that the inner surface is smooth. For pierced styles, the wire should be smooth, thin enough to go through a piercing comfortably, and well plated. Stock both versions of your key designs. Nose jewellery touches mucous membrane, so many retailers do not accept returns of pierced styles once opened - state this at sale, and keep clip-on samples for trying on.
Quality checks
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Clip grip | Must hold without hurting |
| Weight | Light enough to wear for hours |
| Pearls | Secure and even |
| Chain | Secure hook to the hair or ear |
| Edges | Smooth, since it touches the nose |
Stocking tips
- Stock regional styles for your market first; Maharashtrian naths sell strongly around Gudi Padwa, Ganesh Chaturthi and weddings.
- Many brides, especially in Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, consider the nath essential: offer naths matched to your bridal sets in the same finish and stone colours. Bridal naths can be large; a chain to the hair or ear takes the weight.
- Keep a wide range of small everyday nose pins and clip-ons in gold, rose gold and silver-look, with and without stones - low-price, high-volume pieces customers buy often.
We make naths in regional styles at 200 pcs per design (400 for earrings and pendants). See bridal jewellery manufacturer and read Maharashtrian jewellery wholesale.
How naths are made
A nath is small but detailed. The ring is shaped and plated, pearls and stones are set, and for clip-on versions a spring or pressing mechanism is fitted. The pearls on a Maharashtrian nath are strung in a fixed pattern, and the central stone is usually red or green. Because the piece sits on the face, small flaws are very visible, so QC on naths should be strict.
Briefing a nath order
Specify the regional style, ring diameter, pearl count and colour, stone colour, and whether it should be pierced or clip-on. For bridal naths with chains, give the chain length and the type of hair hook.
Care
Advise customers to clean naths gently with a dry cloth and keep them in a small box, since fine wires bend easily. Pierced styles should be cleaned before each wear.