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Elden Ring Smithing Stone guide: Locations and Bell Bearings

Forget power-levelling, upgrading your weapon is really the best way to beat Elden Ring's toughest challenges.

Sherif Saed avatar
Guide by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor
Additional contributions by James Billcliffe, and Kelsey Raynor
Updated on
Update: We've updated this page again to feature some Smithing Stones found in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. These are at the very bottom of the page and have a spoiler-warning prior, don't worry!

So you’ve been playing FromSoftware's gargantuan RPG - Elden Ring - for a few hours and, unless you’re some sort of Soulsborne master, doing this without upgrading your weapons using Elden Ring's Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones, has probably been teaching you some harsh lessons. The same goes for DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, but fortunately, Smithing Stones are found in abundance when entering the Realm of Shadow.

Before you go around grinding trash mobs for Runes to over-level your character and power through fights, you might actually want to direct these efforts elsewhere. That’s because Elden Ring doesn’t really care what your character’s level is, though farming Runes can certainly be helpful. It mostly looks at how powerful your weapon is.

Different weapons will scale differently with your various stats, but the main contributor to your overall DPS is the level of your weapon - in other words, how many times said weapon has been upgraded using Smithing Stones up to that point.

How to upgrade weapons in Elden Ring

Upgrading weapons in Elden Ring is an incredibly simple process that only involves two types of items. The game calls these Smithing Stones, and Somber Smithing Stones - and as you might imagine, there are several tiers of each that your weapon will gradually require the higher its power gets.

Of course, the lowest tiers are the most common, and generally easiest to farm. The higher you go, the more rare Smithing Stone tiers will be required. Kale, the merchant your first meet at the Church of Elleh near the very start of the game (the one who sells the Crafting Kit), has a smithing table next to him which will upgrade your weapon up to +3.

To upgrade your weapon beyond that, you’re going to need a blacksmith. The first blacksmith you’ll run into is at The Roundtable Hold hub area. Master Hewg will take your weapons the rest of the way, if you bring him the necessary Smithing Stones.

You can easily see how many you need for any given weapon upgrade by clicking the ‘Strengthen Armaments’ menu option. You'll also have to pay a small fee in Runes for every upgrade.

Basically, Smithing Stones are use to upgrade "normal" weapons like basic swords and axes. Special and magical weapons, such as those that drop from bosses or have unique Ash of War skills which cannot be altered, require Somber Smithing Stones instead. Normal weapons can be taken up to +25, whereas special weapons can only go as high as +10.

There are nine tiers of Smithing Stones, and ten tiers of Somber Smithing Stones. The tier of each stone is listed between brackets next to its name, so Smithing Stone [1] and [2] etc.

Some Smithing Stone tiers will upgrade your weapon three levels, and others only one. Somber Smithing Stones all grant a single upgrade level each, so it’s easier to calculate.

Smithing Stone upgrade guide

Here's how many levels each Smithing Stone upgrade will apply to a normal weapon.

  • Smithing Stone [1] - +5
  • Smithing Stone [2] - +6
  • Smithing Stone [3] - +9
  • Smithing Stone [4] - +12
  • Smithing Stone [5] - +15
  • Smithing Stone [6] - +18
  • Smithing Stone [7] - +21
  • Smithing Stone [8] - +24
  • Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone - +25

Somber Smithing Stone upgrade guide

Here's how many levels each Somber Smithing Stone upgrade will apply to a special weapon.

  • Somber Smithing Stone [1] - +1
  • Somber Smithing Stone [2] - +2
  • Somber Smithing Stone [3] - +3
  • Somber Smithing Stone [4] - +4
  • Somber Smithing Stone [5] - +5
  • Somber Smithing Stone [6] - +6
  • Somber Smithing Stone [7] - +7
  • Somber Smithing Stone [8] - +8
  • Somber Smithing Stone [9] - +9
  • Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone - +10

How do you get unlimited Smithing Stones in Elden Ring?

Limited quantities of each Smithing Stone and Somber Smithing Stone can be found as rare loot throughout Elden Ring. However, you can also unlock the ability to buy all of the upgrade items you need from merchants by finding special "Bell Bearings" throughout the open world.

This is one of the ways Elden Ring offers players who love exploring a chance to reliably get Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones.

When it comes to Bell Bearings, finding one and giving it to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold will make an unlimited amount of its associated Smithing Stone become available for purchase. There are two types of Bell Bearing to find; Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing and Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing, and they'll each come with different tiers. The different tiers of Bell Bearings are each associated with different levels of Smithing Stone or Somber Smithing Stone.

For example, Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [1] will unlock Smithing Stones [1] and [2] for purchase. Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [5] will unlock Somber Smithing Stone [9] for purchase, etc.

Aside from that, there’s another blacksmith you’re going to come across, who sells unlimited Somber Smithing Stone [1] & [2], as well as limited stock of [3] & [4]. His name is Smithing Master Iji and you'll find them in the west of Liurnia of the Lakes, along the road to the Caria Manor.

Starting at the Northern Liurnia Lake Shore Site of Grace, keep following the road to the north. A little bit past the Kingsrealm Ruins, you will find Master Iji on your left, next to a conveniently-placed Site of Grace.

Where to find all Smithing Miner's Bell Bearings in Elden Ring

Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [1] in Elden Ring

The Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [1] is a reward for beating Crystalian; an optional boss that lies at the end of the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel, which is east of the East Raya Lucaria Gate. You’ll find the tunnel’s entrance in the cliffs on the north-eastern shores.

The Crystalian fight is fairly straightforward, even if it might initially be a little confusing. The boss will take very little damage from your normal attacks, but the key is to break its super armour and perform a critical hit, which is what’s actually going to deal major damage and ultimately allow you to defeat it.

To reliably damage its super armour, perform jumping heavy attacks, charged heavy attacks, and guard counters. The Crystalian’s attacks are easy to read and punish, but your main challenge will be keeping an eye on the ring blade, which can get behind you when thrown. To help take some of that pressure off you, consider ringing the bell and summoning a few spirits. Most of them will work here, as you only need them to confuse the boss’ tracking.

With the Bell Bearing in hand, return to the Roundtable Hold, and head to the Twin Maiden Husks vendor. You’ll find them in the first corridor on your left as you spawn. Keep going and they’ll be on the right in the other room.

Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [2] in Elden Ring

The Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [2] expands the Maiden Husks’ inventory to also include unlimited Smithing Stone [3] & [4]. This one can be found in the Sealed Tunnel, east of the Altus Plateau, on the south-western side (outside) of the inner capital wall.

Unlike the first bell, you don’t need to fight any bosses for this one (though we recommend exploring the tunnel and picking up Smithing Stones lying around). The Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [2] is found inside a chest. After breaking the illusory wall, follow the road down, and break through the wooden cart and boxes. Keep going and you’ll find the chest on the right.

Once the second Bell Bearing has been acquired, head back to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold and offer it to them.

Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [3] in Elden Ring

The Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [3] can be found in Zamor Ruins in Mountaintop of the Giants. It’s just slightly east of the Grand Lift of Rold.

You’ll need to traverse through Zamor Ruins until you come to a small, ruined church. There’s a spell here that you can grab, but just beside it there is also a staircase heading downward (as is the case with most ruins in Elden Ring).

Head down here, open the door, and you can then open the chest to receive Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [3] which allows you to buy Smithing Stone [5] and [6].

Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [4] in Elden Ring

To get the Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [4], you simply need to progress with the story, and it’ll ultimately be dropped by one of the compulsory bosses in Crumbling Farum Azula.

I won’t spoil who or what the boss is, but you can find them in the just past the Dragon Temple Site of Grace above. When felled, they’ll drop Smithing Miner's Bell Bearing [4] which allows you to then purchase Smithing Stones [7] and [8].

Where to find all Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearings in Elden Ring

Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 1 in Elden Ring

For the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [1], you need to head to Sellia Crystal Tunnel in Caelid.

Simply make your way through the tunnel, being cautious of the crystal miners that will attack you, and there is a Fallingstar Beast you'll need to defeat. Fortunately, this guy has nothing on the Fallingstar Beast in Mt. Gelmir, and isn't too tough to take on. Once felled, he'll drop Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [1] which can be used to make Somber Smithing Stone [1] and [2] available.

Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [2] in Elden Ring

Similarly to the last Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing you collected, you'll have to make your way through another cave and conquer its boss.

For Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [2], you'll need to venture through the Altus Tunnel of Altus Plateau. Once you make your way to the bottom, you'll have to face Crystalian Spear and Ringblade duo.

These guys can be tough, considering there's two of them, but summon your mimic if you're having trouble and avoid using Glintstone magic; they're also weak to Dragon incantations if you're running an Arcane build. When you've felled the pair, you'll get Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [2] and will be able to purchase Somber Smithing Stone [3] and [4].

Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [3] in Elden Ring

For the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [3], you'll need to make your way to the Mountaintops of the Giants once more. To the east of the area, you'll find the First Church of Marika.

Head to the church, and there'll be a corpse outside who has the Bell Bearing on them. This will allow you to purchase Somber Smithing Stones [5] and [6]. It's as simple as that, which makes a nice change of pace from the two boss fights prior to this!

Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [4] in Elden Ring

The Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [4] requires you to make your way to Crumbling Farum Azula again. Specially, you'll need to go to the Tempest-Facing Balcony Site of Grace, which is one that you'll undoubtedly find as you progress into the late-game.

Head just slightly north of the Grace to the edge of the platform, and there is a corpse. Loot the body and you'll get the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [4], and will now be able to get Somber Smithing Stone [7] and [8].

Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [5] in Elden Ring

For Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [5], you can stay in Crumbling Farum Azula, but need to make your way to the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace. Rather than progress onward from here to the next boss, you'll want to do some parkouring instead.

Head down the lift that is behind the Site of Grace and go right. Head past (or defeat) the enemy and go down the stairs. To your right will be more enemies guarding an altar, and the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [5] is found on the corpse in front of the altar. This Bell Bearing will allow you to purchase Somber Smithing Stone [9].

The enemies here can be rather relentless, so clear them out before grabbing the item, or be prepared to grab it and run for your life.

Where can you farm Smithing Stones in Elden Ring?

Now that you have a reliable, repeatable way to purchase certain Smithing Stone tiers, the best option is simply farming Runes and buying what you need. Of course, the highest tiers - +25 for normal weapons and +10 for special weapons - are still not available for sale in the same fashion, which means you’ll need to actually find them in The Lands Between because they're in limited supply.

To get the final tier of upgrades for your weapons, you'll actually need to track down Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones or Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones. We've fortunately a guide full of Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone locations to help you with that!

That aside, the most surefire way of getting a bunch of Smithing and Somber Smithing Stones is in Elden Ring’s many mines and underground tunnels. Those are small dungeons, full of miners toiling away, extracting precious metal. Inside, you’ll find a lot of what you need lying around. Some are hidden behind breakable boxes, barrels or wooden boards, so make sure to scour every inch of those mines.

The stones you find within do not respawn, meaning you can come back later and pick up any you might have missed, or simply avoided because they were guarded by tough enemies.

Using this handy interactive Elden Ring map, you can filter out these tunnels, as well as any possible Smithing Stone spawn locations, making it easier for you to go after the type you want.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Smithing Stones locations

Below, we've listed the locations you can expect to find Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones in Shadow of the Erdtree. We haven't added any screenshots to this section of the guide for now as to avoid spoiling anything, but there are spoilers ahead for the locations you find these upgrade materials in.

It's also worth noting that in the DLC, standard Smithing Stones appear to have been added as a random drop from mobs. For example, I've had multiple Smithing Stone 4 dropped by soldiers at Castle Ensis, and so forth.

Smithing Stones are found in abundance in the following dungeons:

  • Ruined Lava Forge Intake - east of Castle Ensis' front gate.
  • Belurat Gaol - go west of the lake in Gravesite Plain where a Ghostflame Dragon is.
  • Dragon's Pit - also east of Castle Ensis' front gate, along the lower path full of dragon statues.
  • Bonny Gaol - accessible via a passage in Moorth Ruins.
  • Taylew's Ruined Forge - Ancient Ruins of Rauh.
  • Lamenter's Gaol - found in Hidden Charo's Grave.

More guaranteed Smithing Stone drops are as follows, but as we've mentioned, you'll get plenty of these from mobs too.

  • Smithing Stone 7 on the first floor of the Specimen Storehouse, guarded by a Fire Knight.
  • Smithing Stone 8 can be found in a chest at the Fort of Reprimand.

Here are some confirmed locations for Somber Smithing Stones.

  • Somber Smithing Stone 1 is found near Castle Ensis' entrance. This requires jumping up from the stairs, and following the patch of land round through a small passage.
  • Somber Smithing Stone 4 is found on rooftops of Belurat, where there are multiple Gravebirds.
  • Somber Smithing Stone 4 is found on the balcony near the Castle Lord’s Chamber SoG.
  • Somber Smithing Stone 5 is on a corpse by the large tree - where the Ulcerated Tree Spirit spawns - in the Shadow Keep Church District.
  • Somber Smithing Stone 9 is dropped by the Stonedigger Troll at the entrance to Castle Ensis.
  • Somber Smithing Stone 5 and 6 are found on the corpses guarded by Messmer Soldier’s past the locked gate (this is past Moonrithyll, and before reaching the Castle Lord’s Chamber SoG).
  • Somber Smithing Stone 9 is a drop from the Horned Warrior in the Belurat Well Depths/swamp area.
  • Somber Smithing Stone 9 is found in the underground ruins west of Viaduct Minor Tower, in Ancient Ruins of Rauh. You need to platform up a tree branch for it.

Take a look at our page on Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones for those final upgrade materials!

Our popular Elden Ring guide has much more help to offer, such as these tips to make Margit, the Fell Omen’s boss fight much easier, and all the legendary spells and incantations you can get your hands on.

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