What is the best level for mining Minecraft diamonds in 1.20? In order to find the rarest of materials in Minecraft, you’ll have to dig a little deeper. After the height change of the Caves and Cliffs update, the point where you can start seeing diamonds is deeper than before, but it’s worth it when you strut into battle donning your sparkling war attire.
While Minecraft Netherite is now the most valuable and durable material to craft your tools and armor, it’s scarce, and you must upgrade it from the diamond kit. That means your best bet in the survival game is still a full diamond setup. Finding these precious blue minerals in Minecraft is still challenging, and they can only be found deep underground, so we’ve got the exact levels to find Minecraft diamonds in 1.20+ below, as well as the best level to mine for them.
Minecraft diamond level 1.20.51
The most diamonds spawn at Y-level -59, but we recommend Y-level -53 as the best level to dig for Minecraft diamonds in 1.20 whilst keeping yourself safe from lava.
The Minecraft diamond level in 1.20 is anywhere below layer 16, so you have a chance of finding diamonds whenever you mine below this point. However, the Minecraft 1.18 update modified general ore distribution. Diamonds were equally spread across each layer before then, but now, while they still spawn below layer 16, they become increasingly common as you dig down toward bedrock.
-53 is the best level to mine for diamonds in Minecraft 1.20.51 due to the lava level at -54. While you can still bump into the fiery liquid at any level, underground lava lakes will form at -54 specifically, so the best way to stay safe and find diamonds is to stay one block above it. Otherwise, you may go up in flames before you’ve had the chance to claim your well-earned reward. If you want to get around the whole digging process, you can quickly use the best Minecraft seeds to find diamonds.
Minecraft diamond ore
You can mine Minecraft diamond ore using either an iron, diamond, or Netherite pickaxe, and it will drop a single diamond when mined. Remember, if you use any other tool, the diamond ore will drop nothing, so ensure you’re adequately equipped before heading down to the mines. You can also try to enchant your diamond pickaxe with Fortune as early as possible to increase the number of diamonds dropped from natural ore.
If you’re after the ore block itself, either for decorative reasons or to save until you have the Fortune enchantment, then use a pickaxe enchanted with Silk Touch to force any block to drop itself when mined. You can also use a Minecraft blast furnace to smelt the diamond ore to obtain a diamond if you don’t have an iron or diamond pickaxe handy.
Minecraft diamond finder
As well as diamond ores, and without having to dig to middle-earth, some rare loot chests across the game world could hold Minecraft diamonds within. Be sure to check any of the following chests for valuable items, including diamonds:
- Shipwreck treasure chests
- Stronghold altar chests
- Village chests
- Fortress chests
- Jungle temple chests
- Desert temple chests
- Mineshaft chests
- Buried treasure chests
- End city chests
Minecraft diamond sword and other crafting recipes
Here’s a list of all the items you craft using Minecraft diamonds:
- Block of diamond
- Diamond axe
- Diamond boots
- Diamond chest plate
- Diamond helmet
- Diamond hoe
- Diamond leggings
- Diamond pickaxe
- Diamond shovel
- Diamond sword
- Enchantment table
- Firework star
- Jukebox
- Netherite tools and armor
That’s everything you need to know about finding Minecraft diamonds in one of the best PC games of the decade. Once you’ve kitted yourself out, we would highly recommend trying your hand at crafting Minecraft fireworks for some spectacular fun – and a whole new way to travel. If you damage your favorite pair of diamond boots in the interim, you can also use a Minecraft anvil to repair diamond items. We also have a dedicated guide to Minecraft copper, the newest resource to be added to the game.