Rings-Confusing

[Manwë Súlimo]

It's been kinda confusing, with different parts of Tolkien's writing contradicting each other.

Which Elven Ring was most poweful? UF says Nenya was. ROTJ says Vilya was.

Nenya was silver/diamond, belonging to Galdriel.
Narya was some metal with a ruby belonging to Gil-galad until given to Cirdan right before the war, and later Gandalf's. It "rekindled" depressed hearts.
Vilya was gold/sapphire, given to Elrond by Gil-galad.

[Lomadia]

I don't believe any one is ever said to be most powerful. In fact, I think that they are meant to be equally powerful, just like the elements they represent: each one can be powerful (eg-flood, inferno, strong winds) and each one can be calm (eg-lake, warming fire, gentle breeze).

[Eru]

I agree with Lomadia. Each of the three elven rings were different and did different things. I think they were equal in power just different in what they did.

The most powerful ring, of course, was The Ring. The one Sauron made.

[Manwë Súlimo]

that makes sense