Viking Jewelry Facts: How Was It Made, Why Did They Wear It, And More

The Viking community belonged to the nation of Scandinavia which is modern-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Vikings raided various countries like England and Ireland over their reign. They were known to be great architects and builders.

The Vikings believed in pagan gods. Many Vikings also worked in the agriculture sector and as farmers. Archaeologists and researchers have found various pieces of evidence regarding the clothes, jewelry, culture, and religion of the Vikings.

Some of these shreds of evidence have been found through the carvings in their longhouses, Viking literature, and tapestries. The Vikings wore colorful clothes and jewelry. Some Vikings were engaged in designing and manufacturing jewelry.

Initially, jewelry was not a part of the Viking culture but they later included it after witnessing it in other cultures. Both Viking men and women wore jewelry. The Vikings used various materials to make jewelry.

This included animal bones, bronze, and silver. Precious metals like gold were rarely used. The designs on their jewelry depicted their religious and spiritual beliefs. The Vikings used wax molds to make jewelry.

The method was known as lost wax. They used their silver neck bands and arm bands as a form of currency. Most men wore pendants with Thor’s hammer. The Vikings not only wore jewelry but also used them to decorate their dresses, ships, homes, and weapons.

Some interesting Viking jewelry facts are being shared here for your perusal. After reading these facts, also check out our Viking clothing facts and Viking brooches facts.

Viking Rune Jewelry

Rune means a 'secret' or 'whisper'. It was a language used in early Norse mythology. The Vikings used the Old Norse language for communication. Various stones inscribed by runes were found in Scandinavia. Various poems also included runes and depicted them as a symbol of healing.

Runestones found from the Viking Age determined their heroism and honor. Viking jewelry history is inspired by Norse mythology.

The Vikings wore different types of jewelry. Many pieces of evidence have been found from gravesites, longhouses, and other archaeological sites from the Viking Age. Jewelry wasn't a part of Viking culture initially. They got inspired by various cultures and countries they went to and eventually included jewelry in their culture.

In the Viking era, people used runes from the Old Norse language to write their books and carve their tapestries. Archaeologists have found rune inscriptions on Viking jewelry. It was believed that they had magical powers and were worn as a necklace, ring, or armband for their healing powers.

Types Of Viking Jewelry

The people of the Viking age wore various types of jewelry. Some of them are mentioned down below.

Necklaces: The Vikings used various types of metals including iron and fibers to design their necklaces. They also used precious stones, beads, charms, resins, and other things to decorate their necklaces, neck rings, and pendants.

On some Viking pendants, religious symbols and runes were also carved. Both Viking men and women wore neck rings. The pendants included charms like Mjolnir (Thor’s hammer), crosses, coins, and axes.

Brooches: The Vikings used oval brooches to fix their dresses together. They were worn daily by men and women. Chain and beads were used to decorate them. Most Viking brooches were an oval shape. They were used on cloaks, aprons, dresses, and other garments.

Earrings: The Vikings preferred to wear earrings on their whole ear. They adapted their earrings from the Savic culture.

Bead ornaments: These were usually worn by the wealthy Vikings. They were made up of glass and amber.

Finger rings: Viking rings have been found in their gravesites. They were usually adjustable. The Vikings made unevenly sized rings. Precious rocks were used to decorate them.

Armbands: These were mostly worn by wealthy members of society. The design of an armband was intricate. The Vikings used wire braid, gold, and silver to make their armbands.

Ancient Viking Jewelry

Jewelry had a great significance in Viking culture. It was not only for fashion purposes but held great importance in their lives. Some of the jewelry pieces were believed to have healing powers in them.

Here are some facts about ancient Viking jewelry which you will certainly find extremely interesting!

Both Norse men and women wore jewelry as a sign of their wealth.

Viking jewelry included necklaces, pendants, bead ornaments, armbands, rings, and other items.

The ancient Vikings used different types of materials to manufacture their pieces of jewelry. Materials used included gold, silver, bronze, and animal bones.

They also decorated their jewelry using stones, glass, beads, and other ornaments. They also engraved runes in some of them.

Both men and women of the Viking society wore jewelry. It was usually a symbol of wealth.

Most evidence of Viking jewelry has been found in their gravesites.

Norse jewelry also worked as currency. People often traded their jewelry pieces to make payments for goods.

Brooches were worn by the Viking people daily.

Most Viking jewelry was made up of silver. They barely used gold.

Rings, bead ornaments, and earrings were not commonly worn by the Viking people.

Ancient Viking jewelry has been found in Silverdale, Huxley, Blackwater, and various other locations.

Viking Necklaces And Neck Rings

Both men and women within Viking culture wore necklaces or neck rings. Men usually wore neck rings while necklaces were more common among Viking women.

Below are a few fun facts about Viking necklaces and neck rings.

Viking necklaces were commonly made from silver. The Vikings rarely used gold to make necklaces.

The necklaces and neck rings were a symbol of wealth.

They often decorated their necklaces and neck rings using ornaments and symbols.

Wealthy Vikings used stones for their necklaces and neck rings.

Vikings belonging to the poor or middle class often used beads or glass.

The Vikings often used neck rings as currency. They traded them in exchange for goods and other services. This type of jewelry was also called hack silver.

Viking Arm Rings And Arm Bands

Viking men mostly wore arms rings and bands. They were a sign of wealth and often used as a currency.

Here are some facts about the Viking arm rings and arm bands.

They were made from common and precious metals like bronze, gold, silver, iron, and copper.

Arm rings and arm bands were also used as currency and were used to get goods and services.

The arm rings were believed to be a symbol of oath and promise by the Vikings.

In Viking lore, arm rings have a huge significance.

Most Viking arm bands and arm rings that have been discovered were found near burial grounds and treasure hoards.

The arm rings and arms bands made from metal were worn daily.

The rings and bands made from iron were believed to drive away malevolent spirits and trolls.

Gold and silver arm rings depicted the wealth of a person and were used as currency.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Viking jewelry facts then why not take a look at Vikings in Scotland facts, or Viking women facts?