MineralogIcal palette

To popularize geological knowledge—specifically mineralogy, economic geology, and the history of geology—among the general public. The project aims to inform participants about the significance of minerals and rocks as valuable natural resources, subjects of scientific study, and items for collection. The topics covered range from minerals and rocks as jewelry, ornamental, and decorative stones to their properties, formation, mining, applications, and fascinating historical facts.

The "Mineralogical Palette" project has been hosted by the Yevhen Lazarenko Mineralogical Museum at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv since 2022. As part of the project, we organize a series of themed events and meetings at the Museum held every month.
Each event includes:

• a popular science lecture;
• an engaging and informative presentation on the selected topic;
• a hands-on exploration of a themed collection of mineral and rock specimens;
• a workshop (making a commemorative souvenir, etc.);
• post-lecture discussions and social networking;
• a guided tour of the Mineralogical Museum.

Regularly held events developed by the Museum staff:

1. "Pigment Minerals": Which minerals can be used as paint pigments? We explore the properties of pigment minerals and the history of their extraction and use through museum specimens. Workshop: Making mineral pigments and creating artwork.
2. "Minerals of Winter Colors" (Christmas Meeting): Focusing on white and transparent minerals (rock crystal, Marmarosh "diamonds," moss agate, cacholong, opal, celestine, etc.). We discuss their properties, uses, and mineralogical stories related to Christmas and the New Year. Workshop: Making a Christmas tree ornament.
3. "Minerals of the Color of Love" (Valentine's Day): Dedicated to red and pink minerals (ruby, spinel, garnets, cinnabar, red diamond, red beryl, tugtupite, rose quartz, etc.). Topics include properties, causes of coloration, uses, the psychological impact of red and pink, and fascinating stories. Workshop: Making a commemorative souvenir
4. "Minerals of the Color of Spring": Exploring green minerals (emerald, chrome diopside, chrysolite, green diamond, demantoid, tsavorite, certain uranium minerals, alexandrite, etc.). We cover properties, causes of coloration, uses, and the psychological impact of the color green. Workshop: Making a commemorative postcard.
5. "All About Native Gold": How gold forms, where it is found in geological bodies, and how it is extracted. We cover the global history of gold mining and use, as well as information on gold deposits in Ukraine. Highlight: A gold panning workshop led by researcher Oleh Koretskyi (Chernihiv).
6. "All About Diamonds": Why is the diamond one of the most expensive minerals? We discuss formation, crystal shapes, colors, and applications, as well as how synthetic diamonds are made and diamond finds in Ukraine. Includes historical facts and their connection to the modern political map. Workshop: Examining diamonds from the Museum collection under a microscope.
7. "Minerals and Ores of Ukraine": An overview of the mineral wealth, as well as the metallic and non-metallic resources of our country. Workshop: Making a commemorative souvenir.
8. "Rhodochrosite – The Rose Mineral": The origin of the name, history, and legends. We examine crystal morphology, aggregates, and coloration. Includes world-famous specimens and a look at the Museum’s rhodochrosite collection. Workshop: Making a commemorative souvenir.
9. "Gypsum – A Mineral for Construction and Medicine": Gypsum as a mineral vs. gypsum as a rock. We discuss varieties, properties, identification, formation, mining, and applications. Workshop: Making a gypsum toy.