Dragon Claws Dragon Claws are special miscellaneous items found in that are primarily used to open ancient Nordic puzzle doors . Characteristics . Each claw is unique . Each one is made of precious gems and / or materials and can be very valuable . Most dragon claws are found in ancient Nordic dungeons , and will open at least one puzzle door in that dungeon . The puzzle door combination can be found on the underside of its corresponding claw . Zooming in on the claw in the Miscellaneous category of the Items menu will make the solution easier to see . Hall of Stories . These are large , open hallways with a puzzle door at the end . The walls of these hallways tell many stories , as the name suggests . One image seems to depict many Draugr bowing towards an almighty Dragon Priest . Claws . Coral Dragon Claw . The Coral Dragon Claw can be obtained in two ways . Diamond Dragon Claw . The Diamond Dragon Claw can be found during the " The World - Eater ' s Eyrie " quest on a leveled Draugr in Skuldafn . Since it is impossible to go back to Skuldafn after completing the main quest line , the item will become redundant and should be sold for coin or kept as decoration . Ebony Dragon Claw . The Ebony Dragon Claw is found at Korvanjund during the quest " The Jagged Crown . " Depending on which side of the war is supported , it is found in the Hall Of Stories near the dead bodies of either two Imperial Soldiers or two Stormcloaks . Note : Because of its jet - black coloration , it may be difficult to see at first glance . Emerald Dragon Claw . The Emerald Dragon Claw opens the first Door Puzzle in Reachwater Rock . It is found near the entrance , on a pedestal next to an Adventurer ' s dead body . It is used in conjunction with the Ivory Dragon Claw in the quest " Forbidden Legend " to obtain The Gauldur Amulet . They can both become bugged , where even after completing the Gauldur quest they can ' t be removed from the inventory . It is also possible for the claws to randomly disappear if stored in a home . Glass Dragon Claw . The Glass Dragon Claw is found in Forelhost during the " Siege on the Dragon Cult " quest . It is in the Forelhost Refectory resting on a pedestal in the top room that resembles a library directly before the spear - gate . While taking the Glass Dragon Claw can cause the spear - gate to close , setting any other object on the pedestal can counteract the removal of the Glass Dragon Claw . Golden Claw . The Golden Dragon Claw is usually the first claw to be encountered , as it is part of " The Golden Claw " side quest , which is obtained in Riverwood from Lucan Valerius . If not started by Lucan Valerius , it is started upon entering Bleak Falls Barrow . The claw is obtained from Arvel the Swift during the " Bleak Falls Barrow " quest . A group of bandits led by a Dunmer named Arvel the Swift came to Bleak Falls Barrow with the stolen Golden Dragon Claw hoping to find treasure behind the Nordic puzzle door . The robbery went wrong , and Arvel was trapped in a Frostbite Spider ' s web , leaving the rest of the group waiting at the entrance of the dungeon . Retrieving the Golden Dragon Claw , using it to reach the word wall then returning it to Lucan completes the quest . Thereafter , the Golden Claw is displayed on the counter of the Riverwood Trader , which , for those inclined , makes it easy to steal . Additionally , if Camilla Valerius is married by the individual wanting the claw , it can be taken , instead of stolen . After you do the side mission and give Lucan Valerius back the claw , he can be killed and the claw may then be stolen . Iron Dragon Claw . The Iron Dragon Claw is found and used during the quest " Evil in Waiting " inside an ancient Nordic tomb of Valthume . It is sitting atop a pedestal in the last room – Valthume Catacombs . Removing the claw activates a trap . Four statues around you will begin to breathe fire for a few seconds . Ivory Dragon Claw . The Ivory Dragon Claw is found in Folgunthur next to Daynas Valen along with his notes and a journal . It is used in Folgunthur and again in Reachwater Rock . Until the " Forbidden Legend " quest has been completed , it is considered a quest item and cannot be discarded . Note : This is the only claw that is used in more than one area . It is also the only claw that uses keyholes not located on Door Puzzles . Ruby Dragon Claw . The Ruby Dragon Claw is found and used during the quest " Tending the Flames " inside Dead Men ' s Respite . It is sitting atop a pedestal in the first room . Removing the claw awakens a small number of Draugr . The Ruby Dragon Claw will remain marked as a quest item and cannot be removed from inventory until after Viarmo receives King Olaf ' s Verse in the quest Tending the Flames . Sapphire Dragon Claw . The Sapphire Dragon Claw is obtained from Wilhelm , the Inn keeper of the Vilemyr Inn , in Ivarstead , as a reward for bringing him Wyndelius ' s Journal , the journal of the man who was " haunting " the Shroud Hearth Barrow . The claw is used to open the Puzzle door inside the Barrow to gain access to a Word Wall . Amethyst Dragon Claw . The Amethyst Claw is found in Vahlok ' s Tomb . The claw split in two , the dungeon ' s design suggesting it was made this way . The claw ' s two halves are found individually , and each unlocks a unique half - claw lock that opens the path to the dungeon ' s deepest areas .