What is a Large Amethyst Bud?
Large amethyst buds are a block from the Caves & Cliffs update that grow inside amethyst geodes. They’re one of four growth stages of amethyst, and they make really cool sounds when you walk on them, break them, or hit them with projectiles. You can’t craft these, so you have to find them in the world and mine them with the right tool.
Finding Large Amethyst Buds
Step 1: Locate an Amethyst Geode
First you need to find a geode. These generate underground in the Overworld, usually found at the end of cave systems or in deep underground areas. Geodes have three distinct layers you can’t miss:
- Outer layer: tuff
- Middle layer: calcite
- Inner layer: budding amethyst and amethyst blocks
The inner layer is where all the amethyst buds grow. You’ll see small buds, medium buds, large buds, and full amethyst clusters in different stages.
Step 2: Get a Tool with Silk Touch
You can’t mine amethyst buds with a regular tool. You need any pickaxe, shovel, or axe enchanted with Silk Touch. Use what you’ve got:
- Pickaxe (fastest)
- Shovel
- Axe
The material doesn’t matter as long as it has Silk Touch. Iron, diamond, and netherite all work the same for breaking amethyst buds.
Step 3: Mine the Large Amethyst Bud
Hold down your mouse button (Java Edition) or controller trigger and wait for the block to break. The controls vary by platform:
- Java Edition (PC/Mac): Left click and hold
- Pocket Edition: Tap and hold
- Xbox One: Hold RT
- PS4: Hold R2
- Nintendo Switch: Hold ZR
- Windows 10/11: Left click and hold
Step 4: Pick It Up
Once the bud breaks, grab it before it disappears. It goes straight to your inventory and stacks up to 64.
Creative Mode Location
| Platform | Versions | Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
| Java Edition | 1.17 – 1.19 | Decoration Blocks |
| Java Edition | 1.19.3+ | Natural Blocks |
Technical Info
Item ID (Java Edition)
In commands and datapacks, large amethyst buds are called large_amethyst_bud. They stack to 64.
Give Command
To get one in creative or with commands:
/give @p large_amethyst_bud 1Change the 1 to any number you want. Replace @p with a player name if needed.
Related Items Requiring Silk Touch
Lots of blocks need Silk Touch to collect. Other amethyst items include small amethyst buds, medium amethyst buds, and amethyst clusters. You’ll also need it for ores, coral, nylium, ice, sculk blocks, bee nests, and grass blocks.