Look. If you've spent any significant time in the Lands Between, you know the struggle. You finally find that one legendary armament—maybe it’s the Rivers of Blood or the Dark Moon Greatsword—and you’re itching to see it melt a boss. But then you look at your inventory. You have plenty of Somber Smithing Stones [1] and [2], and maybe a stray [9] you picked up in some late-game suicide run. But that middle ground? The +5 and +6 upgrades? They're nowhere to be found. This is exactly why the Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3 is arguably the most important utility item in Elden Ring's mid-to-late game.
It’s a game-changer. Honestly.
Once you hand this thing over to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold, the scarcity problem vanishes. You can just buy Somber Smithing Stones [5] and [6] with Runes. No more scouring the wiki for individual stone locations or praying a miner drops one in a tunnel. But here’s the catch: the game hides it in one of the most hostile, frostbitten regions on the map. You aren't getting this early.
Where the Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3 Actually Hides
Most players assume these bell bearings are tucked away at the end of a grueling mine or held by a massive boss. Not this one. It’s actually just sitting there. Waiting. But the "waiting" happens in the Mountaintops of the Giants, a place where the difficulty spike hits like a freight train.
To get your hands on it, you need to reach the First Church of Marika.
Getting there is a trek. You have to have already cleared Leyndell, Royal Capital. You’ve beaten Morgott. You’ve received the Rold Medallion. You’ve taken that long, slow lift up into the clouds. Once you’re in the Mountaintops, you’ll head northeast toward the massive frozen lake.
Be careful. The visibility is garbage.
There’s a Borealis the Freezing Fog dragon roaming that lake. You don't have to fight him to get the bell bearing, but he makes the trip a nightmare with those screen-clearing frost roars. If you hug the right side of the lake and keep heading south/southeast, you’ll eventually see the ruins of the First Church of Marika.
The Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3 is on a corpse right outside the church entrance. Pick it up, avoid the ghost-like enemies nearby, and fast travel out of there as fast as your fingers can move.
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Why the Timing of This Item Matters
Elden Ring’s progression is weirdly gated by these stones. By the time you reach the Mountaintops, you’re likely around level 80 to 100. Your main weapon should probably be at +6 or +7 by now if you've been exploring thoroughly. However, if you want to experiment with a new build—maybe you want to try a faith-scaling Scythe or a weird magic spear—you’re usually stuck because you don't want to waste your "limited" stones.
This bell bearing breaks that hesitation.
The moment you unlock Somber [5] and [6], the game opens up. You realize that "limited" resources are actually infinite if you have the Runes. It changes your playstyle from "hoarding resources" to "testing everything." That’s the real value of the Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3. It’s freedom.
The Economics of Smithing Stones in 2026
It’s worth looking at the costs because they aren't cheap. A Somber Smithing Stone [5] will set you back 9,000 Runes. A [6] costs 12,000.
That sounds like a lot. It is.
If you're trying to take a weapon from zero to +6, you're looking at a total investment of tens of thousands of Runes. If you’re at the First Church of Marika, you’re close to some of the best Rune farms in the game, specifically the Mohgwyn Palace approach ledge. One run there with a Gold Scarab talisman and you’ve got enough lunch money to buy a dozen stones.
Here is the breakdown of what the Twin Maiden Husks will sell you after you turn in the Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3:
- Somber Smithing Stone [5]: 9,000 Runes. Used to strengthen special armaments to +5.
- Somber Smithing Stone [6]: 12,000 Runes. Used to strengthen special armaments to +6.
Interestingly, some players get confused between the regular Smithing Stone Bell Bearings and the Somber ones. Don't be that person. Regular Smithing Stones go up to +25 and require 12 stones per tier. Somber weapons—the ones with unique names or skills—only go to +10 and require just one stone per tier. That’s why the Somber Bell Bearing 3 is so much more impactful; it literally covers two entire levels of your weapon's power with just two purchases.
Common Roadblocks and Mistakes
I’ve seen a lot of people complain that the bell bearing isn't there. Usually, it's because they're looking at the wrong church. The Mountaintops are littered with ruins. Make sure it's the First Church of Marika, located at the southernmost point of the frozen lake.
Another issue? Not realizing you have to actually "offer" the item.
You don't just keep the Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3 in your pocket. You have to travel to Roundtable Hold, talk to the creepy husks, and select "Offer a Bell Bearing." If you die before turning it in, don't panic. It stays in your key items. You won't lose it.
The Borealis Problem
Let's talk about the dragon. Borealis is a jerk. He covers the lake in a mist that deals frostbite buildup even if he isn't hitting you directly. If you are underleveled and just rushing for the Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3, do not engage. Stay on Torrent. Ride like the wind. Use the terrain to block his breath attacks. The Church is a safe zone once you get inside and touch the Grace, so just make a break for it.
Strategic Upgrading: What to Prioritize?
So you have the bell bearing. You have the stones. What now?
Don’t just dump your stones into every random sword you find. Even though you can buy them now, Runes are still a resource. Focus on weapons that have high "S" or "A" scaling in your primary stat. If you're a Dexterity build, something like the Bolt of Gransax (found in Leyndell) benefits immensely from hitting that +6 threshold right as you enter the endgame areas.
The jump from +4 to +6 is massive. It's often the difference between three-shotting a generic knight and one-shotting them. In the Mountaintops, enemies have huge health pools. You need that extra damage.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re currently stuck with a +4 weapon and feeling the burn in the Mountaintops, follow this exact sequence to fix your build:
- Unlock the Grand Lift of Rold: Defeat Morgott in the Capital. This is non-negotiable.
- Cross the Forbidden Lands: It’s a linear path. Watch out for the Black Blade Kindred boss outside the lift; you can just run past him.
- Navigate to the Frozen Lake: From the "Freezing Lake" Site of Grace, head out onto the ice.
- Target the South Bank: Keep the cliffside to your right. When you see the massive stone ribs of the church ruins, you’ve arrived.
- Loot and Scoot: Grab the Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3 from the corpse at the entrance.
- Farm the Palace: If you're short on cash, head to Mohgwyn Palace (via Varre’s quest or the portal in Consecrated Snowfield) to fund your upgrade spree.
The Somber Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3 represents a turning point. It’s the moment the game stops restricting your creativity and starts letting you build a true arsenal. Go get it, turn it in, and stop worrying about your upgrade materials. The Haligtree and Farum Azula are waiting, and you're going to need all the firepower you can get.