Minecraft Caves and Cliffs Update Part 1 officially released on June 8th for both Bedrock and Java Edition. The much-awaited cave update was announced at Minecon 2020. One of the most significant features of the 1.17 update is amethyst geodes.
Amethyst geodes are a new cave structure commonly found underground. These rare structures come in three different sizes: large, medium, and small. Along with various sizes. they also have three layers:
- The outer layer is made of smooth basalt
- The middle layer is made of calcite.
- The inner layer contains amethyst blocks, shards, and budding amethyst.
Out of all the blocks found in amethyst geodes, players should prioritize farming amethyst shards first. This article informs players how to farm amethyst shards in the Minecraft 1.17 update.
Farming amethyst shards in Minecraft 1.17 Caves and Cliffs update
Locate amethyst geodes
To farm amethyst shards, players must find an amethyst geode first, since geodes are the only source for these beautiful crystals. Players who want lots of shards should spend their time locating a large geode.
After finding an amethyst geode, mine all the blocks except the budding amethyst. Amethyst shards can grow on all sides of budding amethyst. Do not try to mine budding amethyst, as it is unobtainable even with the silk touch enchantment.
Bring a pickaxe
Players can use either a netherite, diamond or iron pickaxe to farm amethyst shards from a geode. Breaking one amethyst cluster drops four amethyst shards. Players can increase the number of drops using a fortune-enchanted pickaxe.
Before mining amethyst shards, players should know that only amethyst clusters drop shards, whereas breaking amethyst buds with a regular pickaxe will drop nothing.
Amethyst shards take pretty long to grow. Due to this, players should look for a geode with many budding amethyst blocks. First, remove all the blocks surrounding the budding amethyst to let the shards grow from all sides.
Using a silk touch pickaxe, players can obtain amethyst buds and clusters as a block. While buds and clusters can only be used as decoration, amethyst shards have many uses in Minecraft.
Uses of Amethyst shards
In Minecraft, players can use amethyst shards to craft tinted glass, spyglasses, and amethyst blocks. Using four amethyst shards, players can craft an amethyst block. It means amethyst blocks are a renewable resource.
To craft tinted glass, place four shards around a glass block on the crafting table. As for the spyglass, players will first have to find some copper. Players can make spyglass using one amethyst shard and two copper ingots.
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Edited by Nikhil Vinod
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Amethyst geodes are a relatively new structure introduced to Minecraft in the Caves & Cliffs update part 1. Usually, they can be found underground between Y levels 0 and 70 in the overworld. They can sometimes generate partially above the surface, usually on beaches or underwater.
Inside the geode, players can find amethyst blocks and budding amethyst blocks. The best way of locating them is by exploring the ocean as exposed amethyst geodes are likely to be found there.
Inside an amethyst geode in Minecraft
Once inside the geode, players should be careful to only mine amethyst clusters. They are the final growth stage of amethyst buds that grow on budding amethyst blocks and drop shards when mined using any level of pickaxe.
There's no reason for mining the blocks on which they grow because then more amethyst clusters will be unable to grow, making it impossible for Minecraft players to farm them again.
Best way to farm amethyst clusters
A redstone contraption with pistons can easily be created to break the amethyst cluster which will then drop the shards. However, this method is not recommended because creating a contraption for each budding amethyst block present in a geode is not practical.
The best way to farm amethyst clusters in Minecraft is to mine them manually with a pickaxe enchanted with Fortune III. With Fortune III, players can get up to sixteen amethyst shards out of a single cluster, whereas it only drops two when broken by a piston.
Players should avoid using a pickaxe with an Efficiency enchantment as they might unintentionally break the budding amethyst block.
Crafting items using amethyst shards
Block of amethyst
This unique block makes an exceptional sound when it is placed, hit by a particle, or when a player walks on it. To craft one of these amethyst blocks, players need to place four amethyst shards in the crafting grid.
Spyglass
Spyglass is a new item that was added to Minecraft in the 1.17 update as well. It can be used to zoom in at any location the player is looking at. To craft it, players need to place an amethyst shard and two copper ingots vertically on the crafting table.
Tinted glass
This is a unique glass that is transparent yet blocks light from passing through it. Players can craft it on the crafting table using four amethyst shards and one glass.
For detailed guides, walkthroughs, tips & more, check out SK Minecraft Wiki
Edited by Atul S
Thank You!