Amethyst clusters are valuable blocks found deep inside geodes. They make beautiful chiming sounds when you interact with them and look awesome as decorations. This guide shows you exactly how to find and collect them.
What is an Amethyst Cluster?
Amethyst clusters are the final growth stage of amethyst found in underground geodes. They drop amethyst shards when broken normally, but if you use Silk Touch, you get the cluster itself. They were added in the Caves & Cliffs Update (1.17) and work in all versions from 1.17 to 1.20+.
Finding Amethyst Clusters
Locate a Geode
Geodes spawn underground in the Overworld. You’ll find them mixed into cave systems and stone layers. They’re fairly common if you do some caving or mining. When you spot one, it’s hard to miss: they have a purple crystal interior surrounded by layers of calcite and tuff.
Understand Geode Structure
Every geode has three distinct layers:
- Outer layer: Tuff blocks
- Middle layer: Calcite blocks
- Inner layer: Budding amethyst and amethyst clusters
Inside you’ll see amethyst at different growth stages: small buds, medium buds, large buds, and full amethyst clusters. The clusters are the largest and most valuable.
Mining Amethyst Clusters
Get a Silk Touch Tool
You need a tool enchanted with Silk Touch to collect the cluster itself. Any tool works: pickaxe, shovel, or axe. Here’s what you can use:
Pickaxe (recommended): Diamond, Netherite, Iron, or Golden pickaxe
Shovel: Diamond, Netherite, Iron, or Golden shovel
Axe: Diamond, Netherite, Iron, or Golden axe
If you don’t have Silk Touch yet, you can either find it on enchanted books in loot or get it from an enchanting table. It’s a worthwhile enchantment to grab.
Break and Collect
Once you have your Silk Touch tool, mine the amethyst cluster just like any other block:
- Java Edition: Left-click and hold
- Pocket Edition: Tap and hold
- Console (Xbox/PS4/Switch): Hold RT/R2/ZR
- Windows 10/11: Left-click and hold
The cluster will drop immediately. Pick it up before it despawns (they disappear after 5 minutes).
Item Info
| Item | Minecraft ID | Stack Size | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amethyst Cluster | minecraft:amethyst_cluster | 64 | 1.17 to 1.20.1+ |
Using the /give Command
In Java Edition, give yourself an amethyst cluster with:
/give @p amethyst_cluster 1
Where to Find in Creative Mode
| Version | Location |
|---|---|
| 1.17 to 1.19 | Decoration Blocks |
| 1.19.3 and later | Natural Blocks |
Other Silk Touch Items
Amethyst clusters aren’t the only blocks that need Silk Touch. You also need it for:
- Other amethyst growth stages (small, medium, large buds)
- All ore blocks (coal, iron, diamond, emerald, lapis, etc.)
- Deepslate ore variants
- Grass blocks, mycelium, and nylium
- Ice, packed ice, and blue ice
- Coral blocks and coral fans
- Mushroom blocks
- Sculk blocks (Sculk, Sculk Vein, Sculk Catalyst, Sculk Sensor, Sculk Shrieker)
- Bee nests