On the occasion of European Minerals Day, perhaps more than ever, we realize that minerals are not just “stones.” They are wonders of nature that were formed over millions of years deep within our planet.

We admire their colors, luster, shapes, and uniqueness. Every crystal is an original — an unrepeatable combination of natural forces. Minerals carry within them a beauty that has fascinated humankind since ancient times. However, they are not only the aesthetic treasures of the Earth.

They are the foundation of our everyday lives. We find them in mobile phones, computers, cars, medicines, and more. Even an ordinary pencil, salt, or ceramic mug reminds us how closely our lives are connected to geological wealth.

Every mineral carries a story of time that far exceeds human life. Therefore, this day is not only a celebration of the beauty of nature, but also a reminder of the respect we owe to the Earth, which provides us with these gifts.

We are attaching a few photographs of our Slovak treasures displayed in the collections of the Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice.