Jewelry Background Post - Thor's Hammer, Mjolnir (Mjollnir/Mjöllnir)

This month’s Jewelry Background Post is about our Thor's Hammer Necklaces. At the end of this entry there will be a special coupon code good for 20% off both the Plain Thor's Hammer Necklace and the Thor's Hammer Necklace with Enamel (in Sterling Silver and 14k Gold).


Thor's Hammer Necklace in Sterling Silver.

Our Thor's Hammer necklaces were created by Jeweler Ryan Cazier in the early 2000's. A self proclaimed Norse Mythology buff, Ryan created the original Thor's Hammer by hand using carving wax. The design was inspired by the shapes of old Scandinavian Thor's Hammer necklaces found in ancient graves. Ryan incorporated lightening blots at the very top of the hammer, acknowledging the fact that Mjollnir is a symbol of lighting itself. The rough pattern on the handle was meant to symbolize that the hammer could not be picked up with bear hands, as even Thor had to grasp the hammer with magical gauntlets. Mjollnir is written on the hammer using Elder Futhark runes and reads right to left, like ancient Norse script. Only one L appears on the hammer, as the ancient Norse people did not traditional spell using double letters. The enamel that is used in the hammers, is hand mixed one color at a time. Each color is specially formalized by Ryan Cazier. Once mixed, the enamel is applied by hand and heat treated to give it a durable, glossy surface.


Thor's Hammer with Red Enamel in Sterling Silver

And now for a bit of Mythology on Thor and Mjollnir.

Thor is the Norse god of Thunder, Storms and Farming, but more then that Thor was the God of the warriors and the common people. Though his father Odin was of higher rank, Thor appeared to be the most loved and worshiped of all the Norse deities. He was the protector of both the Gods and humans from evil, mainly the giants and Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent. When the Norse people saw thunder and lightening they believed it was Thor fighting evil forces or riding his chariot across the sky.


Thor's Hammer Necklace in 14k Gold

Thor's chief weapon was his mighty hammer Mjollnir, made for him by the dwarfs Brok and Eitri. Originally commissioned by Loki in a bet, Thor was given the hammer by the dwarfs. Mjollnir was a fierce weapon, capable of leveling mountains. When thrown in battle Mjollnir would magically return to Thor's hand like a boomerang and was a symbol of lightening. Mjollnir also had the power to restore life to the dead. The connection of Thor's hammer with life gave rise to the Norse custom of placing a hammer in a brides lap on her wedding day and of raising a hammer over a newborn child. The ancient Norse people wore small depictions of Thor's hammer around their necks as symbol of Thor, a protection charm, and to ensure fertility. The practice of wearing a hammer as a symbol of Thor lasted well into the Christianization of Scandinavia. As Christianity spread across Scandinavia the Thor's hammers that were worn started to resemble crosses more and more, supporting the theory that ancient Scandinavians though sworn to Christian rule were still paying homage to the Norse deities. It is still common practice in most Scandinavia countries that young boys are given a hammer necklace as a part of ancestral tradition and as a symbol of protection.


Thor's Hammer Necklace with Sapphire Enamel in 14k Gold

The discount coupon code for this month is: BLG8THR and will be good until 9/17/2010 for 20% off either our THOR-01 and THOR-02 in both Sterling Silver and 14k Gold. Enter the coupon code during the check out process online or mention the code with any phone order.