The ancient Greeks believed this stone could help prevent intoxication. Even its name is telling: amethystos — “not drunk.”

Throughout history, until large deposits were discovered in Brazil in the mid-18th century, amethyst was considered one of the most precious stones — on par with ruby, emerald, and sapphire. No wonder that these purple gemstones adorn many relics, including the British Crown Jewels. In Ukraine, deposits of amethyst are found in many regions — from Volyn to Crimea.

Fluorite glows in the dark like a magical stone from a fairytale. This effect is called fluorescence — a phenomenon first described in 1852. Ancient Romans valued fluorite highly: it was carved into tableware and jewelry, and it served as a marker of social status. One of Ukraine’s largest fluorite deposits — the Bakhtyn deposit — is located in Podillia.

In the 13th century, long before people learned how to make glass, the very first lenses were made of beryl. This was due to the mineral’s hardness and optical properties. One could say humanity “saw the light” thanks to it. In fact, the word “beryl” was once a synonym for eyeglasses in medieval Europe. In Volyn Oblast, deposits of this mineral were formed 1.77 billion years ago. The largest ones are located near Khoroshiv. Experts consider Volyn beryl to be among the most valuable stones for jewelry and collecting in Europe. Renowned varieties of beryl — emeralds, aquamarines, and heliodors — are also found in this region.

Trypillian farmers used it while making axes. And now it’s in your smartphone. Quartz is both the past and the future. The ancient Greeks believed that quartz was ice that never melts. Modern science values it for its stability: quartz generates precise electrical oscillations, which is why no clock or computer can function without it. In Volyn mines, crystals weighing dozens of kilograms are still being found.

For centuries, topaz has symbolized strength, love, and protection. It comes in many colors — from deep red to sky blue. In the past, topaz was given as an engagement gift; a promise of fidelity. Medieval Europeans believed it calmed anger and dispelled evil intentions. Until recently, Volyn was a source of jewelry-grade and collector’s topaz. In April 2025, a natural topaz crystal weighing 205 kg was found there and entered into Ukraine’s National Register of Records.

Every piece of jasper is unique: in its patterns, people see mountains, rivers, and even traces of the cosmos. It was loved and cherished on every continent. Jasper was used for amulets, seals, jewelry, and was worn close to the heart for protection and calm. Today it is used to adorn buildings, such as in mosaics. In Kyiv, several metro stations are decorated with jasper from the largest Ukrainian deposit in Zakarpattia — Ilnytskyi. Jasper is also found in Crimea and in the Oblasts of Rivne, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zhytomyr.

Black as the night before a storm. Its color determined its fate. Why? Due to its color, morion was thought to be a stone of magicians and prophets. In medieval texts, it was called “black crystal,” believed to be capable of absorbing dark energy. These minerals are a frequent find, but for now Ukraine only has one deposit of smoky quartz — the Volyn deposit. It is known for unique giant quartz crystals of extraordinary size and quality. Morion is used in jewelry, radio engineering, and optics.

These stones are like the very cells of the earth. They are everywhere: in the granite of the Carpathians, in the steps of a village council, in the cobblestones of an old city. A variety of feldspar — labradorite — is at the center of a beautiful Inuit legend. They believed that particles of the northern lights were frozen inside the stone. Ukraine’s Zhytomyr Oblast is one of the few places in the world where feldspar is mined on an industrial scale.

At the very top of the chart of minerals and precious stones is the true treasure of Ukraine WOW — gold. This precious metal is universal, as it does not tarnish and is easy to forge. No wonder that since ancient times it has been used to make jewelry, ritual objects, and money. Take the Scythians, for example: even Herodotus wrote that during rituals they did not use silver or bronze, only gold, as they considered it a symbol of their might. By the way, gold is also mined in Ukraine — in Muzhiieve, Zakarpattia Oblast.