The uniqueness of the Seeing Stones

[Ithrynluin]

From HoME XII: The Peoples of Middle Earth; Dangweth Pengolodh:

Not even the Seeing Stones of the craftsmen of old could wholly unite those that were sundered, and they and the masters that could make them were few.


The Masters that could make the Palantiri were few, but more than just one (Fëanor). Who else do you think had the skill of hand to make a palantir?

Do only the Elves qualify, and among them only the Noldor, being instructed by Aulë himself?

Celebrimbor comes to mind instantly here.

Mahtan, father of Nerdanel?

Eöl?

What about the Dwarves, did they have what it takes to make the seeing stones? Were they taught by Aulë or only created by him? Some of Aulë's characteristics and powers obviously did slip into them too...

Telchar?

Gamil Zirak?

[Celebthôl]

I'd guess that only a certain few Feanors wifes dad for one (which would be Mahtan :o) , and a few other Noldor not metioned...but only those taught by Aule i would think

[Beleg]

I think that the Dwarves exelled in metal work. They didn't have the benifit of the guidance of Aule and other Valar that was avalable to Valar. So I think only Noldo could have created the seeing stones. However, with proper guidance some of the Great Smiths of Dwarves might have been able to prepare the seeing stones.

[Aulë]

Perhaps Aulë himself?

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Beleg_strongbow
I think that the Dwarves exelled in metal work. They didn't have the benifit of the guidance of Aule and other Valar that was avalable to Valar. So I think only Noldo could have created the seeing stones. However, with proper guidance some of the Great Smiths of Dwarves might have been able to prepare the seeing stones.

I do wonder Beleg, how much time did Aulë spend with the Dwarves before Eru sent them to sleep? Did he have enough time to impart some of his immense knowledge on them? Or maybe some of his innate power passed into them?

[Beleg]

Now Ilúvatar knew what was done, and in the very hour that Aulë's work was complete, and he was pleased, and began to instruct the Dwarves in the speech that he had devised for them, Ilúvatar spoke to him; and Aulë heard his voice and was silent

The above Quote suggests to me that Aule didn't had a lot of time to instruct Dwarfs after they were fully wrought, that is to say their physical creation was complete, whatever he passed into them would have been done during the process of their creation.

[Celebthôl]

Well that isnt true, because after Ilúvatar granted them life, they were not sent straight to sleep were they? So Aule could have taught them much more before laying them down, or else his plan for which Ilúvatar had agreed upon would not have been acomplished...

[Beleg]

Well that isnt true, because after Ilúvatar granted them life, they were not sent straight to sleep were they?


Silmarillion, of Aule and Yavanah
Even as I gave being to the thoughts of the Ainur at the beginning of the World, so now I have taken up thy desire and given to it a place therein; but in no other way will I amend thy handiwork, and as thou hast made it, so shall it be. But I will not suffer this: that these should come before the Firstborn of my design, nor that thy impatience should be rewarded. They shall sleep now in the darkness under stone, and shall not come forth until the Firstborn have awakened upon Earth; and until that time thou and they shall wait, though long it seem. But when the time comes I will awaken them,

[Celebthôl]

No i know that, but they werent set to sleep until Aule had finished with them, they were already awake on Aule's anvil as he taught them, surely he finished to teach them?!

[Beleg]

He had finished Creating them and was just teaching them Language when Eru intrupted. This doesn't mean that he had enriched them with all the required knowledge.