The struggle for the jewels drove the major narratives of the First Age. Despite the tragic wars, each Silmaril eventually found a permanent, symbolic resting place:
: Beren and Lúthien managed to cut one jewel from Morgoth's crown [16]. It was eventually borne by Eärendil the Mariner , who sailed to the West to beg the Valar for aid [18]. It now shines in the sky as the Morning and Evening Star, a symbol of hope to all in Middle-earth [18]. silmaril
: The Silmarils shone with their own inner fire, and because they were hallowed by the Vala Varda, no evil thing or mortal flesh could touch them without being scorched and withered [3]. The struggle for the jewels drove the major
In modern science, the name "Silmaril" has been adopted for a high-sensitivity used at the CHARA Array . Much like its mythical namesake's focus on capturing light, this instrument is designed for ultra-low noise performance to observe distant stars with unprecedented clarity. It now shines in the sky as the
: Maglor, likewise finding his jewel unbearable to hold, cast his Silmaril into the depths of the Sea [15].
In a moment of "fey" fury, Fëanor and his seven sons swore the Oath of Fëanor , a terrible vow to hunt down and reclaim the Silmarils from anyone—God, Demon, Elf, or Man—who might withhold them [2, 15]. This oath led the Noldor Elves into exile, sparked the first Kinslayings , and brought about the "Doom of the Noldor," a curse that ensured their war against Morgoth would be fraught with treachery and sorrow [15, 26]. The Three Fates of the Silmarils