Abstract
Regularities in the distribution of rare-metal and rare-earth pegmatites within the Western and Central parts of the Ukrainian shield are determined. New geological criteria and search signs for rare-metal and rare-earth mineralization have been developed. The first group includes the forecasting criteria that are tied to the general patterns of location of pegmatites in time (geochronological) and space (megastructural). These criteria define the main structural units (pegmatites provinces, regions, districts) and their metallogenic specialization. The second group combines regional criteria among which are distinguished tectonostructural, magmatic and metamorphic. These forecasting criteria define the formation and localization of the pegmatite belts and fields. The third group consists of criteria that emerge from the conditions for the formation and localization of pegmatite nodes and bundles. The fourth group are the criteria of pegmatite bodies that can be identified during study their internal structure. These are mineralogical-geochemical, structural-textural, petrochemical, thermobarochemical and thermoluminescent. Prospects for further work aimed at identifying new rare-metal and rare-earth metal deposits within pegmatite-bearing fields are estimated.