Kategorie: Gold Viking Jewelry: Solid Gold Rings & Pendants

A Guide to Gold Viking Jewelry

Gold was far rarer than silver in the Viking world. Most Viking Age hoards are silver, which made a gold ring a statement then and still does. This collection holds only solid gold pieces: no plating and no gold-colored steel, just gold alloy all the way through, made by hand in our partner workshop.

Gold Viking rings

The solid gold rings here are made in 9k, 10k, 14k or 18k gold depending on the design. Several are offered in sterling silver too, so you can pick the metal on the product page. Many also appear among our Viking wedding rings, since knotwork, runes and Mammen-style ornament suit a band that is meant to last a lifetime. Each ring is made in the size you select, and production currently takes 2 to 3 weeks (temporary, while our workshop moves to a new location).

Gold Viking pendants

The Drakkar longship pendant and the Mammen-style Thor's hammer are cast in solid gold and finished by hand, with the option of sterling silver on the same product page. If Mjolnir is the symbol you want, our full range of Thor's hammer necklaces covers every metal and price point.

9k, 10k, 14k or 18k gold?

The karat tells you how much of the alloy is pure gold: 9k is 37.5%, 10k is 41.7%, 14k is 58.5% and 18k is 75%. 14k and 18k gold resist tarnish; 9k and 10k contain more alloy metal and can dull slightly over the years, and a soft-cloth polish brings them back. 18k has the richest color but is also the softest of the four, so it picks up fine scratches sooner than 14k. Use the Gold karat filter to see only the karats you want.

Why gold mattered to the Vikings

No gold was mined in Viking Age Scandinavia, so the gold there came mostly through tribute, raiding and gifts, and was often reworked from imported coins and objects. The Hoen hoard (also spelled Hon) from Norway, buried in the late 9th century, is the largest Viking Age gold hoard found in Scandinavia, about 2.5 kilograms of gold and some silver, and is now in the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. In the sagas, gold rings change hands at key moments: in chapter 55 of Egil's Saga, King Athelstan passes Egil a gold ring on the point of his sword after the battle of Brunanburh. For how this jewelry was made and worn, read our guide to the history of Viking jewelry.

Gold Viking Jewelry, FAQ

Is this real gold?

Yes. Every piece in this collection is solid gold, 9k, 10k, 14k or 18k all the way through, not plated and not gold-colored steel. The karat options are listed on each product page.

Which karat should I choose?

14k is a common balance of color, hardness and price for rings worn every day. 18k has a richer color and more gold content but is softer. 9k and 10k are the most affordable solid gold options and the hardest wearing, with a lighter tone.

Does gold Viking jewelry tarnish?

Not in normal wear. 14k and 18k solid gold resist tarnish, while 9k and 10k can dull a little over the years and polish back easily with a soft cloth.

Are the gold rings handmade?

Yes. Every ring and pendant in this collection is handmade to order in our partner workshop, in the metal and size you select.

How long does a solid gold piece take?

Solid gold pieces are made to order. Production currently takes 2 to 3 weeks (temporary, while our workshop moves to a new location), and shipping time comes on top of that.

Can I use a gold Viking ring as a wedding ring?

Yes. Several of our solid gold rings are listed among our wedding bands. Order both partners' sizes at the same time, and choose the same karat so the colors match.

Do you have gold Viking arm rings or bracelets?

Not in solid gold at the moment. In the Viking Age, rulers gave arm rings of silver and gold to their followers as a bond of loyalty, and the sagas describe oaths sworn on a sacred ring, as in the temple scene of Eyrbyggja saga. For arm rings in other metals, browse our Viking bracelets and arm rings.

How do I find my ring size?

Measure the inside diameter of a ring that already fits, or wrap a strip of paper around your finger and measure its length in millimeters, then match it to a US ring size chart. Each gold ring is made in the size you select, so measure carefully before ordering.