Minecraft: How to Find Diamonds

Thumbnail of a Diamond from Minecraft
By
Adrien McKenna
Updated:
15 Mar 2022

Minecraft: How to Find Diamonds

 

Check out this handy video guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvxTksxS1VY

Video by: Shulkercraft

Prior to the 1.18 Caves and Cliffs update, finding diamonds in Minecraft was as simple as digging to Y=12 and mining straight ahead. You were likely to always come across a few of these precious gems, which are used to make some of the strongest, handiest tools and weapons in the game. Unfortunately, diamonds don’t appear in the same spot anymore - so, whether you’re new to Minecraft or are an old pro that’s feeling lost with these rule changes, here is a fresh guide to finding diamonds in 1.18.

  • The tools you’ll need for a diamond excursion are:
    • At least a Stone Shovel
    • At least an Iron Pickaxe
      • Iron Pickaxes are required to collect diamonds from diamond ore
    • Some Torches (optional)
  • Step 1: Access your Coordinates
    • Coordinates are used to locate items across the three-dimensional plane of Minecraft.
    • On most PCs, you can find these coordinates by pressing the F3 key on your keyboard. 
      • Coordinates are listed in this format: X/Y/Z
    • The X and Z values represent longitude and latitude. When searching for diamonds, the most important value is the Y value - which represents altitude.
  • Step 2: Mine downward, making a staircase.
    • Watch your Y Coordinate as you dig down. Diamonds are now found between layers Y=14 and Y=-63.
      • Youtuber Shulkercraft advises digging around Y=-58
    • When you reach your desired depth, stop mining down and mine straight ahead, instead.
    • Never dig straight down. Mining the block below you, without knowing what lies beneath it, is dangerous - you could fall into a pit of zombies or creepers or - worst of all - lava.
  • Step 3: Profit
    • Once you’re at your desired depth, the only thing left to do is keep mining until you find diamonds - so put on a podcast, relax into the rhythm of the dig, and watch your stockpile of diamonds grow.
 

Now that you know how to find diamonds, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start mining! We’ll see you around - happy gaming!

You May Also Be Interested In:

image
Adrien McKenna
Adrien McKenna is a below-average gamer living a below-average life. This writer’s passion for pixels outmatches their skill in using them, but their determination has carried them far and wide.
Gamer Since:
2010
Favorite Genre:
RPG
Currently Playing:
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
Top 3 Favorite Games:
Outlast: Whistleblower, Undertale, Fallout: New Vegas