Buy Authentic Naga Tribal Jewellery Online — Handmade by Women Artisans
If you've ever held a piece of Naga jewellery, you know it doesn't feel like something that came off a production line. The weight is different. The texture is different. You can tell someone's hands were involved.
Runway Nagaland started working with women artisans from Nagaland in 2011, back when most people in India hadn't heard of the brand and "handmade" hadn't yet become something every fast-fashion label puts on its packaging. The women who make these pieces are from the Lotha, Sangtam, Khiamniungan and other tribes. Each tribe works differently — different patterns, different materials, different reasons for making things the way they do.
What You're Actually Buying
Naga jewellery is not decorative in the way most people think of jewellery. Traditionally, the beads, bones, and metals used in a piece told a story — about the wearer's clan, their status, their warrior lineage. A necklace wasn't just an accessory. It was identity.
That context matters when you buy one today. You're not buying a product that was designed to sell. You're buying something that already had a purpose before it was ever listed online.
Why Runway Nagaland
There are plenty of places online selling "tribal jewellery." Most of it comes from warehouses. The "tribal" part is aesthetic, not actual.
Runway Nagaland is different for one specific reason: the women making the jewellery are from the tribes the jewellery comes from. That's not a small thing.
When Ngangmitliu, one of the artisans, weaves a Lotha pattern into a necklace, she's not copying something she found on Pinterest. She grew up around it. Her mother wore it. That gap — between someone who knows a tradition and someone who Googled it — shows up in the work.
What's Available
The collection includes:
- Tribal necklaces — beadwork, bone, horn, and metal, in both traditional and contemporary designs
- Earrings — lighter pieces that work well for everyday wear
- Bracelets and bangles — woven and beaded, often in natural materials
- Banana fibre bags — these are newer, made from processed banana plant fibre, and genuinely one of the most interesting things in the collection
Prices vary. Some pieces are under ₹1,000. Others, especially the more elaborate necklaces, go higher. Shipping is free on orders above ₹5,000, and they ship internationally to the US, Singapore, Canada, and more.
A Note on Sizing and Fit
Necklaces are the most common question. Most Naga necklaces are adjustable or one-size, but the weight can feel different from what you're used to if you haven't worn tribal jewellery before. If you're unsure, the team responds on WhatsApp and can help you pick based on your preferences.
For International Buyers
If you're ordering from the US or Singapore, delivery takes 7–10 business days. The pieces are packed carefully — the packaging has gotten consistent praise from international customers, which matters when you're sending something fragile across continents.
Payment is accepted in multiple currencies and the checkout is straightforward.
Worth It or Not?
If you want cheap jewellery that looks tribal, this isn't the place. Runway Nagaland doesn't compete on price with mass-produced goods, and they're not trying to.
What they sell is made by the people it comes from. Packed by hand. Shipped with more context than you'll find on most product pages. If that's what you're after, yes — worth it.
Shop the collection: www.runwaynagaland.com
For questions, WhatsApp the team directly — they're responsive and genuinely helpful, not a bot.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the jewellery actually handmade or is that just marketing? It's actually handmade. The women who make it are from the tribes the designs come from — Lotha, Sangtam, Khiamniungan and others. Runway Nagaland has been working directly with these artisans since 2011. There's no middleman factory involved.
2. Are the materials natural or synthetic? Most pieces use natural materials — bone, horn, beads, metal, and woven fibres. The banana fibre bags are made from actual banana plant fibre, not synthetic alternatives. If you have a specific question about a piece, the team can tell you exactly what went into it.
3. How long does delivery take? Within India — 3 to 5 business days. US, Singapore, Canada and other international locations — 7 to 10 business days. Free shipping on orders above ₹5,000.
4. Can I return or exchange a piece? Because each piece is handmade, slight variations in color and texture are normal and not defects. For damaged or incorrect orders, contact the team directly on WhatsApp — they sort it out.
5. I'm not sure which piece to pick. Can someone help? Yes. WhatsApp the team with your budget and what you're looking for — occasion, style preference, who it's for. They'll suggest options without pushing you toward the most expensive thing.
6. Do you ship internationally? Yes — US, Singapore, Canada, and more. Payment is accepted in multiple currencies. Packaging is secure for international transit.
7. Is this jewellery suitable for everyday wear or only special occasions? Both, depending on the piece. Earrings and smaller bracelets work fine for daily wear. The larger necklaces are heavier and more suited to occasions — but that's your call, not a rule.
8. What makes Naga jewellery different from other Indian tribal jewellery? Each tribe has its own design language — patterns, colors, and materials that are specific to that community. A Lotha necklace looks different from a Sangtam one, and both look different from jewellery from Rajasthan or Orissa. The differences are real, not just marketing categories.