Mahtan was a renowned Ñoldorin metallurgist of Aman and the father of Nerdanel, the wife of Fëanor. Mahtan had a beard, which was unusual for an Elf especially one as young as he. According to J. R. R. Tolkien most elves could only grow beards from the "third cycle" of their lives, while Mahtan was an exception in being only early in his second. It is unclear what these "cycles" actually refer to.