Indian culture places a lot of importance on different kinds of ornaments worn on specific occasions. One such piece of jewellery is the nose ring, which often evokes the image of a dolled-up bride wearing an intricate nose ring with a chain or, as is more commonly known, Nath. However, nose rings are not limited to just weddings and traditional Indian settings – they are quite popular across the world. The practice goes back 4000 years to the Middle East, making its way to Western society by the 20th century. And now, thanks to the wide variety of designs, you can wear them practically anywhere, and style them with ethnic and Western clothes.
Whether you’re new to nose jewellery because you just got a nose piercing (or are planning one) or are looking for inspiration to add some new pieces to your bijoux box, this guide will take you through the trendiest nose rings to shop this season. Even if you’re not one to get pierced, we have included some press-on options that are just as pretty (minus the pain!). Psst, make sure to read till the end – there’s a bonus section on choosing the right nose ring according to your nose shape.
1. Classic Hoop Nose Ring
Let’s start with the simplest kind of nose ring there is – a seamless hoop. This nose ring is perfect for daily wear and is mostly available in silver, gold, rose gold, and black variants. Sometimes, this nose ring comes with a single or two to three beads; the former is usually for ease of wearing. Simply insert the ring into your piercing and secure the other end into the bead.
Style Files Recommends:
ZavyaPair With: Dailywear
2. Patterned Hoop Nose Ring
A close cousin of the previous one, this type of nose ring has a pattern, giving it an edgy touch. Available in oxidised, silver, and gold colours, this one’s a good balance between simple yet elevated. We suggest you pick the one below from Giva for assured quality. Also, the gold colour will go with most other jewellery pieces and ethnic outfits, adding a slight touch of femininity.
Style Files Recommends:
GIVAPair With: Festive, Casuals
3. Hinged Nose Rings
A hinged nose ring is also a hoop-style nose ring – the only difference is the closure, which is a clasp in this case. It locks your nose ring in place and doesn’t let it budge. We recommend the one below, by Candere by Kalyan Jewellers, which is crafted in 18K yellow gold and has a single diamond for added sparkle. You can pop this one on during the festive or wedding season – it will go with all your ethnic outfits and traditional jewellery. Investing in a gold nose ring also keeps risks of skin infections at bay.
Style Files Recommends:
Candere by Kalyan JewellersPair With: Festive wear
4. Septum Nose Ring
A septum piercing, sometimes called ‘bull piercing,’ is done through the wall of the cartilage that separates both nostrils. One of the most edgy kinds of piercing, you can adorn yours with different types of septum rings. Regardless of the style, we strongly suggest picking a brand with good reviews – like Priyaasi – to ensure premium quality. The oxidised set of four recommended below will pair well with most daily wear and casual outfits. It’s the perfect pick to instantly add a ‘baddie’ element to your persona.
Style Files Recommends:
PriyaasiPair With: Casuals, Ethnic wear
5. Bridal Nath
The Bridal Nath is a type of nose ring that’s circular in shape, usually oversized, and has one or more chains attached to it. The chain is usually secured in the hair on one side with a pin. This type of nose ring is generally worn with bridal jewellery – with slight regional differences in the design.
Style Files Recommends:
Curio CottagePair With: Bridal wear
6. Nathni
A Nathni is its lighter counterpart of a nath and it can be worn at events other than weddings, such as attending a festive party, puja, or any other occasion that requires you to dress up in traditional Indian attire. We recommend this with a chain embellished with white pearls for added elegance.
Style Files Recommends:
AdwitiyaPair With: Occasionwear
7. Clip-on Nose Rings
Nose rings are not limited to only those with a pain threshold – you can rock one even if you don’t like the idea of needles and piercing guns. We have rounded up a few clip-on nose ring options for regular as well as special occasions. If you can’t make up your mind, go for the oxidised combo as they are light, pair well with most outfits, and give you a couple of options to rotate.
Style Files Recommends:
Zaveri PearlsPair With: Ethnic wear, Fusion wear
Yellow ChimesPair With: Festive wear
Different Types Of Nose Rings For Every Nose Shape
While there’s no right or wrong nose ring, if you are wondering what’s the best type of nose jewellery based on nose shapes, we’ve got you covered. These are some broad suggestions you can consider – but remember that you can flaunt any type of nose ring you want. You do you, babe!
- Narrow, long nose: Simple, beaded, and heavier variants of hoop nose rings look good on narrow and long nose shapes.
- Prominent nose: If you have a prominent nose, choose a patterned hoop nose ring for regular wear or a nathni for special occasions.
- Button nose: For this type of nose shape, it’s best to opt for a medium-sized nose stud or pin.
Additionally, dainty nose studs and septum rings look good on most nose shapes. So, if you’re still confused, choose between these two.