Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Diamonds in Minecraft: Where to Find Them and Uses
Diamonds come from diamond ore deep underground, mined with an iron pickaxe or better; each ore drops one diamond, more with Fortune. They also turn up in chests, vaults, ominous vaults and suspicious sand. Diamonds make the second-best tools and armor, enchanting tables and jukeboxes, and diamond gear is what you upgrade to netherite.
Where do you find diamonds?
- Diamond ore deep in the Overworld; the best levels are near the bottom of the world; see best Y level for diamonds.
- Chests in villages, buried treasure, shipwrecks, desert and jungle temples, End cities and more.
- Vaults in trial chambers can eject diamonds; see vaults.
- Deep fossils can contain diamond ore; see fossils.
What are diamonds used for?
| Item | Diamonds |
|---|---|
| Full diamond armor | 24 |
| Pickaxe or axe | 3 |
| Sword or hoe | 2 |
| Shovel | 1 |
| Enchanting table | 2 (plus obsidian and a book) |
| Jukebox | 1 (plus 8 planks) |
| Copying a smithing template | 7 |
Diamond gear upgrades to netherite at a smithing table; see smithing tables.
Does Fortune give more diamonds?
Yes, Fortune on your pickaxe can give extra diamonds from each ore, up to 4 with Fortune III. Silk Touch gives the ore block itself, which you can mine later with Fortune. Tool enchantments: pickaxe enchantments.
Tips for getting diamonds
Strip mine or explore large caves at the best Y level, and check every lava lake edge, since diamonds often sit near lava. Bring water to turn lava into obsidian. Armorers, toolsmiths and weaponsmiths trade diamond items too; see armorer trades. Diamonds also repair diamond gear in an anvil.
Frequently asked questions
What pickaxe do you need for diamonds?
An iron pickaxe or better.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.