Silmaril

Creation of the Silmarils

J. R. R. Tolkien describes the history of the Silmarils in The Silmarillion, published after but in fiction long preceding the events of The Lord of the Rings. The Silmarils—"the most renowned of all the works of the Elves"—are created by Fëanor, a prince of the most skilful clan of Elves, the Noldor, from the light of the Two Trees of Valinor. The Silmarils are made of the crystalline substance silima. The Silmarils are hallowed by the ValaVarda, who kindled the first stars, so that they would burn the hands of any evil creature or mortal who touched them without just cause.