Viking Arm Rings: Sterling Silver & Steel

21 pieces

A Viking arm ring is a heavy band of silver or gold worn on the wrist or upper arm, and in the Viking Age it was jewelry and money at once. This collection gathers our arm rings: twisted-wire sterling silver arm rings with wolf heads, Huginn and Muninn raven heads and dragon heads, handmade cuffs engraved with the Valknut, the Helm of Awe or Elder Futhark runes, and adjustable stainless steel arm rings for everyday wear. Most silver pieces weigh between 20 g and 78 g; the twisted-wire rings come in 18 to 26 cm, and the cast cuffs are offered in sterling silver or bronze. Prefer a slimmer piece for the wrist? Browse our Viking bracelets.

How to choose a Viking arm ring

Twisted wire with animal heads. Two twisted silver rods end in facing heads: wolves, ravens or dragons. Most weigh around 60 g in 925 sterling silver and come in fixed sizes from 18 cm to 26 cm; the dragon bangle adjusts across the same range.

Cast cuffs with symbols. Open cuffs carrying the Valknut, the Helm of Awe, Fenrir, ravens, runes or knotwork. Each is made in your choice of sterling silver or bronze, and the open back lets you wear it on the wrist or higher on the arm.

Stainless steel. Adjustable stainless steel arm rings with wolf, raven or Fenrir heads, most in 316L, for a lower price and for wear in water.

Finding your size

Wrap a soft tape or a strip of paper around the part of the arm where the ring will sit: the wrist, the forearm or the upper arm. Pick the size that matches that measurement, or the next size up if you are between two. Open cuffs can be eased slightly wider or narrower by hand; bend them slowly and only a little at a time.

FRAGEN

Häufige Fragen

What is a Viking arm ring?
A Viking arm ring is a band of precious metal, usually silver, worn on the wrist or the upper arm. In the Viking Age arm rings showed wealth and rank, and because their value lay in the weight of the silver they also served as money: hoards such as the Cuerdale hoard found in Lancashire contain arm rings alongside cut-up hacksilver.
Why did Vikings give arm rings?
Rulers rewarded loyal followers with rings, and skaldic poetry praises a generous lord as a ring-giver or ring-breaker. Eyrbyggja saga also describes a ring kept in a temple on which oaths were sworn.
What do the wolf, raven and dragon heads mean?
Wolves recall the wolves of Norse myth, such as Fenrir or Odin’s wolves Geri and Freki. The ravens stand for Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s two ravens, whose names mean thought and memory. Dragon heads follow the animal ornament common in Viking-age metalwork.
What size arm ring should I buy?
Measure around the spot where you will wear it. The twisted-wire silver arm rings come in 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 cm, and the silver dragon bangle adjusts from 18 to 26 cm. The open cuffs can be adjusted slightly by hand.
Is the silver solid 925 sterling silver?
Yes. Every arm ring listed as 925 sterling silver is solid silver, not plated. The cast cuffs are also offered in bronze, the steel pieces are stainless steel (316L on most), and one lower-priced wolf-head ring is plated alloy.
Can I wear an arm ring every day?
Yes. Sterling silver darkens with time, which many wearers like on Viking pieces; a silver polishing cloth brings back the shine. Take silver off before swimming or using cleaning products. The stainless steel arm rings do not tarnish.