Skyrim Aetherium Shard Locations
4 aetherium shards
Where to find all four Aetherium Shards for the Lost to the Ages quest. Each shard sits deep inside a Dwemer ruin; gather all four to unlock the Aetherium Forge and craft a unique Aetherial artifact.
Lost to the Ages is a Dawnguard quest that starts when you read The Aetherium Wars or stumble into Arkngthamz, where the ghost of the adventurer Katria asks for help. To reach the hidden Aetherium Forge you must recover four Aetherium Shards, each buried in a different Dwemer ruin. Reassembled into the Aetherium Crest, they open the forge — where you forge one Aetherial artifact of your choosing. Use the interactive map below to plan your route between the four ruins.
The four Aetherium Shard locations
Arkngthamz
Where the quest Lost to the Ages begins, high in the Reach southwest of Markarth. Work through the ruin and solve the Tonal Lock sound puzzle; the first shard waits just beyond it, alongside Katria's ghost.
Raldbthar
In the Pale, between Lake Yorgrim and the White River, north-east of Whiterun. The shard is deep inside, in the Raldbthar Deep Market section near the end of the ruin.
Mzulft
In Eastmarch, south-east of Windhelm (also visited during the College quest Revealing the Unseen). The shard sits in the Dwarven Storeroom, a side room a short way south of the entrance.
Deep Folk Crossing
In the Reach, near the ruin of Bthardamz. No dungeon to clear here — the shard rests on a podium just north of the large stone bridge, out in the open.
The Aetherium Forge reward
With all four shards in hand the forge produces the Aetherium Crest, which lets you craft a single Aetherial artifact. You can only use the forge once, so the choice is permanent:
- Aetherial Crown — keeps your previous Standing Stone power active when you choose a new one, so you can carry two Standing Stone blessings at once while it is worn.
- Aetherial Shield — bashing an enemy turns them ethereal for several seconds (they can neither harm you nor be harmed) and makes them flee. Works on nearly every foe except dragons.
- Aetherial Staff — summons a Dwarven Sphere or Spider to fight for you, though the summoning sometimes misfires. It is generally considered the weakest of the three options.
Looking for the exact spawn IDs? Browse our full item code list to add any Aetherial artifact straight to your inventory.