The Silmarils: History, War, and Fate of the Great Jewels
In the vast mythology of J.R.R. Tolkien, few objects carry as much weight, beauty, and tragedy as the Silmarils. Described as the most renowned works of the Elves, these three gems are not merely treasures but vessels of divine light that sparked an era of unprecedented conflict in the First Age of Middle-earth.
The Creation of the Silmarils
The Silmarils were crafted by Fëanor, a prince of the Noldor—the most skilled clan of Elves. Using a crystalline substance known as silima, Fëanor captured the pure light of the Two Trees of Valinor within the gems. To ensure their protection, the Vala Varda (the deity who created the first stars) hallowed the jewels. This divine blessing meant that any evil creature or mortal who touched the Silmarils without a just cause would suffer severe burns.
The tragedy of the gems began when the rebellious Vala Melkor, allied with the monstrous spider Ungoliant, destroyed the Two Trees. While the Valar managed to create the Sun and the Moon from the final flower and fruit of the dying trees, these celestial bodies were tainted by Ungoliant's poison. Consequently, the Silmarils became the only remaining sources of the Trees' unmarred light.
When the Valar requested the gems to restore the Trees, Fëanor refused. Shortly after, Melkor murdered Fëanor's father, Finwë (the High King of the Noldor), and stole the Silmarils, fleeing to his fortress of Angband in northern Middle-earth. There, he set the jewels into his Iron Crown.
![Maglor casts a Silmaril into the Sea by Ted Nasmith, 1997. The painting was used on the front cover of HarperCollins's illustrated edition of The Silmarillion in 1999.[2]](/images/3d/b1/3db14c4eada173d859a36363a9a9c1827ccb2804e7daddccbad125142a1315db.jpg)
The War for the Jewels
Driven by grief and rage, Fëanor renamed Melkor as Morgoth, meaning the "Dark Enemy of the World." In a moment of desperation and pride, Fëanor and his seven sons swore the Oath of Fëanor, a binding vow to pursue anyone who withheld the Silmarils from them, regardless of the cost.
This oath triggered a catastrophic chain of events, leading the Noldor to leave Valinor and return to Middle-earth. The resulting conflict was marked by mass murder and fratricide, as the oath drove Elf against Elf. Despite five major battles fought in the region of Beleriand, the Noldor and their allies were unable to reclaim the gems from Morgoth.
The Fates of the Three Silmarils
The journey of each Silmaril ended in a different realm, fulfilling a prophecy that they would be scattered across the sky, earth, and sea.
The Jewel of the Sky
Through immense peril, Beren and Lúthien managed to recover one Silmaril. Lúthien used her song to lull Morgoth to sleep, allowing Beren to cut the gem from the crown. However, the werewolf Carcharoth swallowed Beren's hand along with the jewel, which drove the beast mad. After Carcharoth was slain by Huan the Hound, the Elf-captain Mablung recovered the gem. It was eventually taken to the West by Eärendil, the heir of Beren and Lúthien. As a sign of repentance, the Valar placed this Silmaril upon the mast of Eärendil's ship, fixing it in the heavens as a star.
The Jewels of the Earth and Sea
The remaining two gems stayed with Morgoth until the end of the War of Wrath, when a servant of the Vala Manwë reclaimed them. However, they were soon stolen by Fëanor's last surviving sons, Maedhros and Maglor. Because they lacked a just claim, the hallowed gems burned their hands. In agony, Maedhros cast himself and his Silmaril into a fiery pit, while Maglor threw his into the ocean.
![Fates of the Silmarils: as Mandos had foretold,[a] they are scattered, one in the sky, one in the earth, one in the sea.[T 9]](/images/48/3e/483e2400edec854673ee8fdcb33e69b649481e5105c361de66f1fcfc7541b4f4.webp)
Key Facts
- Creator: Fëanor, a prince of the Noldor Elves.
- Composition: Made of silima and containing the light of the Two Trees of Valinor.
- Protective Enchantment: Hallowed by Varda to burn the hands of evil or unjustified possessors.
- The Oath: Fëanor and his seven sons swore to reclaim the gems at any cost.
- Final Locations: One in the sky (as a star), one in the earth (fire), and one in the sea.
| Silmaril | Recovered By | Final Fate | Current Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Gem | Beren & Lúthien | Placed on Eärendil's ship | The Sky |
| Second Gem | Maedhros | Thrown into a fiery pit | The Earth |
| Third Gem | Maglor | Thrown into the ocean | The Sea |
The Prophecy of the End Times
According to the prophecy of Mandos, the current state of the world is temporary. During the Dagor Dagorath (the Battle of Battles), Morgoth will be finally defeated. Following this, the Valar will recover the Silmarils, and Fëanor will be released from the Halls of Mandos. Fëanor will then give the gems to Yavanna, who will break them to revive the Two Trees. This act will flatten the Pelóri Mountains and fill the world with eternal bliss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are the Silmarils?
The Silmarils are three legendary jewels created by the Elf Fëanor. They are made of a substance called silima and contain the pure, unmarred light of the Two Trees of Valinor.
Why did the Silmarils burn Maedhros and Maglor?
The gems were hallowed by the Vala Varda to burn any evil creature or mortal who touched them without a just cause. By the time Maedhros and Maglor took them, their claim was deemed unjustified.
Who was the first person to successfully take a Silmaril from Morgoth?
Beren and Lúthien were the first to recover a Silmaril, with Lúthien using her singing to put Morgoth to sleep while Beren cut the jewel from his crown.
What was the Oath of Fëanor?
The Oath was a terrible vow sworn by Fëanor and his seven sons to pursue with vengeance and hatred anyone—Elf, Man, or Vala—who withheld a Silmaril from them.
Will the Silmarils ever be reunited?
Yes, according to the prophecy of Mandos, they will be recovered by the Valar after the final battle (Dagor Dagorath) and used by Yavanna to restore the Two Trees of Valinor.