How to Get Amethyst Shards, Clusters, and Buds in Minecraft

Learn the best ways to collect Amethyst shards, clusters, and geodes in Minecraft

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

Finding Amethyst Geodes

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Amethyst Shards Uses

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Do you need Amethyst Shards in Minecraft? This can be found in Geodes within the Y levels. You'll just need to dig a bit to find one. Keep in mind that Amethyst Shards can only be farmed within an Amethyst Geode underground. Here's how to get Amethyst Shards in Minecraft.

How to Get Amethyst Shards

Dig underground for an Amethyst Geode between Y level -58 and 30 and find Budding Amethyst Blocks. Look for fully-grown Amethyst Clusters on the sides of these blocks. Use a pickaxe to mine 4 Amethyst Shards per Cluster. Wait 7 in-game days for the Amethyst to regrow until you farm again.

Section 1 of 2:

Finding Amethyst Geodes

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Dig between Y=-58 and Y=30 to find an Amethyst Geode. An Amethyst Geode is a large cave filled with Amethyst Blocks. You'll need to go caving within the Y levels to find it. Keep an eye on your map for any large spots of purple—this can indicate the Amethyst Geode you need.^{[1]
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- Amethyst Geode: a large cluster of blocks that can be cracked open and entered, similar to a cave
- Budding Amethyst: the block found in the innermost layer of the Amethyst Geode that grows Amethyst Clusters over time
- Amethyst Bud: stage 1-3 of the growth cycle of Amethyst Clusters
- Amethyst Cluster: the final stage (stage 4) of the growth cycle and drops Amethyst Shards when mined
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Mine Amethyst Clusters with a pickaxe. These are the fully grown Amethyst gems on the Budding Amethyst. It takes about 7 in-game days to fully mature. If you try to mine Amethyst Buds before they reach the final stage, you won't get any Amethyst Shards.
- Using a pickaxe will yield 4 shards while other methods will yield 2 shards.
- It's best to mark the Amethyst Geode on the map and return routinely to mine the Amethyst Buds when they're ready.
- You can also find Amethyst Shards in Ancient City chests (23.2% chance).

Section 2 of 2:

Amethyst Shards Uses

This is the block found within Amethyst Geodes that grow Amethyst. To craft this, you'll need 4 Amethyst Shards.
This is the Amethyst variant of the Sculk Sensor, which can detect vibrations nearby. To craft this, you'll need a Sculk Sensor and 3 Amethyst Shards.
This tool is used to zoom in on objects far away. To craft this, you'll need 1 Amethyst Shard and 2 Copper Ingots.
This item will block light while remaining transparent. To craft this, you'll need 4 Amethyst Shards and 1 Glass.