Character Bios
Celebrimbor
Meaning: 'Silver Fist' (Q. Tyelp[er]inquar)
Location(s): Valinor, Nargothrond, Ost-in-Edhil in Eregion
Race/Species: Elf
Type/Kind: Noldor
Title(s): Lord of Eregion - disputed
Dates: Age of the Trees*, died II 1697
Parents: Curufin (f)
Description:
He was a member of Gwaith-i-Mírdain, a powerful society of craftsman in Eregion, which fell under the influence of Sauron in his guise of Annatar, 'Lord of Gifts'. Celebrimbor forged the three elven rings, Nórya - the Red Ring or Ring of Fire, Vilya - the Ring of Sapphire or Ring of Air, and Nenya - the White Ring or Ring of Adamant or Ring of Water.
He loved Galadriel according to one fragment 'The Elessar'. "But you know that I love you (though you turned to Celeborn of the Trees), and for that love I will do what I can, if haply by my art your grief can be lessened."
Unfinished Tales, Part 2, IV, History of Galadriel and Celeborn
Disputed points:
Tolkien originally had Celebrimbor as a silversmith in Gondolin under Turgon, then later decided he would be a descendent of Fëanor instead.
Unfinished Tales, Part 2, IV, History of Galadriel and Celeborn
Elswhere he is called "Teler, one of the three Teleri who accompanied Celeborn into exile." (The Peoples of Middle-earth, HoMe 12, Late Writings, Of Dwarves and Men; the reference is to the Unfinished Tales version of the History of Galadriel and Celeborn where the latter is an Elf from Aman and Olwe's grandson.)
Celebrimbor is called the 'Lord of Eregion' in one edition only of
App B, RoTK, LOTR
*If he was indeed the son of Curufin, he must have been born in Aman, as his mother refused to take part in the rebellion of the Noldor (Of Dwarves and Men).
Contributors:
Lyllyn 1.10.03; Finch, 01.11.03