When it comes to authentic Viking necklaces, there’s far more historical variety than most people realize. Based on our extensive research into Viking Age archaeology (793–1066 AD), including museum collections, academic sources, and primary Norse texts, it’s clear that Norse jewelry went well beyond the popular Thor’s hammer. As specialists in Viking-era artifacts and professional curators of historically accurate replicas, we've examined original finds across Europe and recreated many of these designs for our store. The most accurate way to categorize Viking necklaces is by type: Mjölnir pendants, beaded necklaces, bracteates, god and animal amulets, and bone or antler-carved pendants—each revealing a unique insight into the beliefs, status, and style of the Viking people.

Viking Necklace

1. Thor’s Hammer (Mjölnir) – The Iconic Viking Necklace

Among the most iconic pieces of viking jewelry is the Mjölnir pendant, often referred to as Thor’s hammer necklace. Although it's widely popular in modern times and often associated with viking identity, archaeological evidence suggests that Mjolnir necklaces were less common than we might assume today.

So far, fewer than 100 Thor’s hammer pendants have been found in Viking-era archaeological sites across Scandinavia, England, and Eastern Europe. However, the diversity in their designs and the wide geographical spread of these finds indicate that many more may have existed. It’s also notable that these viking hammer necklaces have been discovered more frequently in women's graves than in men’s, suggesting they held broader cultural or ritual significance than just warrior symbolism.

Some of the most well-known archaeological examples include the Sejro Thor’s hammer found in Denmark, the Romersdal pendant from Bornholm, and the Slottsmöllan Mjolnir, a detailed bronze find. These historic artifacts have inspired countless authentic Viking necklace replicas available today.

But what did wearing a Viking Mjolnir necklace truly mean to those in the Viking Age?

While scholars still debate the exact meaning, several compelling theories have been proposed. Some believe these Norse hammer pendants served as spiritual protection against evil forces or symbolized resistance to the rising pressure of Christian conversion. Others interpret them as blessings for strength in battle, fertility in marriage, or health during pregnancy. Like many Norse pendants, the Mjolnir was likely a multi-purpose symbol tied deeply to personal belief, ritual, and identity.

To read about these theories, check out our blog post here.

Related: [The Meaning of Thor’s Hammer Necklace in Viking Culture]

Also, check out our collection of Mjolnir pendants made in Scandinavia and replicas of the archeological finds!

[Thor's Hammer Necklace collection]

---

 

2. Viking Beaded Necklaces: Amber, Glass, and Ceramic Treasures

While Mjolnir pendants are often the face of viking jewelry, beaded necklaces played an equally significant role especially among viking age women. These necklaces, crafted from amber, glass, and ceramic beads, reflected not only style and identity but also the vikings extensive trade networks. 

One of the most treasured materials in Norse jewelry was amber, sourced from the Baltic region. Amber Viking necklaces were worn as early as the Bronze Age—more than 3,000 years ago—and remained popular throughout the Viking Age. Archaeological finds from Birka in Sweden and Hedeby (Haithabu, Germany) reveal the importance of these radiant beads, often buried with their owners as symbols of legacy and prestige.

Amber beads dating from Viking age to Bronze Age-National Museum of Denmark

Glass bead necklaces were equally valued, arriving in vibrant greens, reds, blues, and yellows. Many of these beads were imported from Byzantium, the Middle East, and other far-reaching viking trade routes, making them prized possessions and international status symbols. 

Although rarer, ceramic beads also appear in Viking archaeology, particularly in Eastern European settlements influenced by Norse traders. These Viking ceramic necklaces likely held both decorative and symbolic value, though fewer examples have survived due to the fragility of the material.

Beads found at Kaupang, Norway- Viking Age trade Center

One of the most vivid historical accounts of Viking bead use comes from the 10th-century traveler Ibn Fadlan, who described the Rus’ Viking women as valuing green glass beads more than silver. His observations underline just how deeply connected these necklaces were to identity and status.

The richest collections of Viking bead necklaces have been excavated at major trading hubs like Birka, Hedeby, and Kaupang in Norway. The National Museum of Denmark also houses an incredible amber bead collection dating back to both the Viking Age and Bronze Age, showcasing thousands of years of cultural continuity in Nordic adornment.

Vast collection of traded beads found in Hedeby(Haitabu Viking Museum, Germany)

For those looking to wear history, we offer authentic amber beaded necklaces crafted using traditional materials and inspired by real archaeological finds.

🔗 Related: [Check out our Authentic Amber Beaded Necklace here!]

---

3. Bracteates: Ancient Norse Runic Necklaces

Another fascinating type of viking necklace found in archaeological contexts is the bracteate which is a thin, round metal medallion worn around the neck. These delicate yet powerful medallions often carried mystical and spiritual symbolism. Bracteates were modeled after Roman medallions but evolved into uniquely Germanic and Norse jewelry pieces, especially during the Migration Period and early Viking Age.

Typically made from gold, silver, or bronze, these medallions featured runic inscriptions and mythological imagery. The runes were often carved for magical protection, blessings, or as invocations of divine power. Some bracteates display scenes of Odin riding his eight-legged horse Sleipnir, flanked by his ravens Huginn and Muninn.

These runic necklaces were likely worn as talismans and amulets, serving both decorative and religious purposes. While many were likely made for elite individuals or ritual specialists, their wide discovery across Northern Europe—from Scandinavia to Anglo-Saxon England—suggests they were valued symbols of status and belief.

Notable archaeological finds of bracteates have been discovered in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, often buried in hoards or preserved in burial sites. These discoveries provide invaluable insight into how Viking pendants were more than jewelrythey were sacred, protective, and deeply personal.

Famous Bracteate Finds

---

4. Necklaces & Pendants Depicting Norse Gods

Another powerful expression of Norse spirituality in viking-age jewelry was the use of amulet pendants shaped like gods, animals, and sacred symbols. These viking necklaces served not only as personal adornment but also as protective charms and symbols of devotion to the old ways.

Odin pendants were among the most revered, honoring the Allfather’s role as a god of wisdom, magic, and war. Many of these amulets may have been designed to invoke Odin’s presence or favor, especially before battle or during rites of passage. 

Raven pendants were also worn, symbolizing Odin’s two ravens Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory). These birds were seen as extensions of Odin’s consciousness, flying across the world each day to bring back information. 

Other popular viking pendants included figures like Freya, goddess of love and war, and Tyr, the one-handed god of justice. Valkyrie pendants also worn may have symbolized female warrior spirits who guided the dead to Valhalla. These pendants weren’t just decorative; they were spiritual tools meant to connect the wearer to something greater, whether that was divine power, protection in battle, or a link to one’s ancestors and to nature itself.

Archaeological Finds of Viking Amulets

You can find replicas of many of these here!

🔗 Related: [Norse Pendants collection]

---

5. Bone and Antler Pendants & Engravings

Not all viking necklaces were made of precious metals or glass. Many vikings wore pendants carved from bone and antler, materials that were abundant and accessible. While these necklaces were less costly to produce than silver or gold, they carried just as much spiritual and symbolic weight, if not more.

These bone and antler pendants were often engraved with runes, animal symbols, and magical motifs. The carvings weren't just decorative; they would have been believed to activate the amulet’s protective or spiritual properties. In some cases, these pendants were used as Norse amulets, imbued with blessings, spells, or ancestral connections.

Archaeological finds have revealed such pendants in viking burial sites, indicating that they held deep personal or religious importance. Their presence in graves suggests that these objects accompanied the dead into the afterlife, likely serving as talismans of protection or identity.

Archaeological Discoveries of Bone Pendants

• The Ribe Skull Fragment (Denmark) – Features runic inscriptions, indicating ritual use.
• 
• Bear tooth pendant from Orkney Islands
• 
• Antler pendant from Netherlands
• 

We have replicas of these and more at our collection here!

🔗 Related: [Antler & Bone Pendants]

---

Where to Find Authentic Viking Necklaces Today

For anyone fascinated by the craftsmanship and symbolism of the viking necklace, there are several museums across Europe that house some of the most important and authentic artifacts from the Viking Age. 

The British Museum in London is home to pieces from the Cuerdale Hoard, which includes rare Norse pendants and Viking silver treasures. In Denmark, the National Museum in Copenhagen features a remarkable collection of bracteates, bead necklaces, and silver chains that span both the Viking and earlier Germanic periods.

If you're interested in the famous Viking trade city of Birka, the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm holds many of the Viking necklaces unearthed from Birka’s rich burial sites, including various Thor’s hammer pendants and ornamental beads. The Hedeby Viking Museum in Germany is another treasure trove, showcasing amber, bone, and antler jewelry found in one of the largest Viking settlements ever discovered.

For those looking to wear a piece of Viking heritage, our curated collection of Viking-inspired necklaces includes historically accurate Norse pendant replicas made with traditional designs and symbolism in mind. Whether you're interested in a Mjölnir necklace, a bead strand inspired by Birka, or a handcrafted bone pendant, our shop offers pieces rooted in real Viking history.