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Three jewels
LorenzoCB - Silmarils device.png
Other namesThe Great Jewels, The Three Jewels, Jewels of Fëanor
LocationFormenos, Angband, Tol Galen, Doriath, Mouths of Sirion
AppearanceHard, bright crystals containing the light of the Two Trees
Tirion, Y.T. 1449-1450
GalleryImages of Silmarils
"...The thrice-enchanted globes of light
that shine until the final night
Lay of Leithian, Canto VI, vv.1642-1643

The Silmarils (Quenya Silmarilli)[1][2] were three gems of immense might and beauty. Their theft by Morgoth is the triggering fact of the events of the First Age, narrated in the Quenta Silmarillion ("The History of the Silmarils").


[edit] Description


But the Silmarils were tainted by arrogance and lust by anyone who desired them, starting with Morgoth, then Fëanor. As the Oath of Fëanor proclaimed, it resulted in evil ends, such as the Fall of the Noldor, the Doom of Mandos, Kinslayings and the destruction of Doriath.

[edit] History




[edit] Theft by Morgoth

Throne of Morgoth by Felix Sotomayor

Then news came: Melkor had killed Fëanor's father Finwë, the King of the Noldor, and stolen all the gems. He and Ungoliant fled to the northlands of Middle-earth, where his ancient fortresses were, but they quarrelled as the spider had devoured all the gems, and wanted also the Silmarils, something that Melkor, now named Morgoth by Fëanor, would not allow, even though their holy light burnt his hands and ceaselessly tormented him. The Silmarils were set on his Iron Crown.

Fëanor was furious at Morgoth and at the Valar's perceived desire to take the gems for their own purposes. Then he and his Sons sweared a terrible Oath: that they would not rest until the Silmarils were recovered, slaying anyone who stand in their way. Fëanor led the Noldor back to Middle-earth and a centenary war began against Morgoth in Beleriand, called the War of the Jewels. But their battles led to no end of grief for the Elves and eventually for the Men of Middle-earth.


Earendil by Jef Murray
Maedhros Casts Himself into a Chasm by Ted Nasmith
Maglor Casts a Silmaril into the Sea by Ted Nasmith

Instead of giving it to the Sons of Fëanor, Thingol had the gem stored inside the dwarven pendant Nauglamír by the Dwarves of Nogrod, who however also coveted the jewel and killed Thingol. Doriath was ruined by the Dwarves. The Nauglamír was recovered by Beren in Tol Galen, and Lúthien wore it until her second death, becoming the fairest vision east of the Sea. It was said that their second death came early, because their combined beauty was too bright for mortal lands.

[edit] Doom of the Noldor

After Lúthien's death, a Lord of the Laiquendi brought the Nauglamír back to Doriath, and her son Dior wore it. These news came to the sons of Fëanor, who, stirred by their Oath, came to Doriath and resolved to battle, during which three of the brothers were killed, and Menegroth was ruined. However the Nauglamír was rescued by Elwing and Sindarin survivors who fled to the Havens of Sirion.[6]

Years passed and the Silmaril passed to the hands of Elwing's husband, Eärendil, the lord of the Havens of Sirion. His people considered the Silmaril to be a blessing for their houses and ships. But the sons of Fëanor still pursued the Silmaril and when they learned that Elwing escaped there, they made their demand in friendly terms, while Eärendil was absent in one of his voyages. But the people of Sirion refused to surrender it, considering it a rightful prize of Beren and Lúthien. Therefore the Fëanorians resolved to make another assault, but again, Elwing and the Silmaril escaped. With the help of Ulmo, Elwing and the Silmaril ended up in the hands of Eärendil; it was its light that guided him through the Shadowy Seas and he found his way to Valinor. The Valar then set this Silmaril as a Star and worn on his brow.[7]



It is said that Fëanor will return only for Dagor Dagorath. Following Melkor's final return and ultimate defeat, the World will be changed and the Silmarils recovered. Fëanor will break his jewels and with their fire Yavanna will revive the Two Trees. The Pelóri Mountains will be flattened and the light of the Two Trees will fill Arda again in a new age of Eternal Bliss.[8]

[edit] Etymology

The word is said to contain silima, the substance they were made from[1] as well as an element from brightness, ril.[9]

They mean "radiance of pure light".[10] It might contain the ending rille ("brilliance").[11]

The proper Quenya plural form is Silmarilli, "Silmarils" being an Anglicised name.

[edit] Other names



In Aelfwine's Old English translations, the name Silmaril is rendered phonetically as Sigelmaerels. As noted by Christopher Tolkien it is composed of OE sigel ("sun, jewel") maerels ("rope"), actually referring to the Nauglamir.[15]

[edit] See also


  9. 9.0 9.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entries "RIL", "SIL"