7 Valuable Minecraft Gems and Where to Find Them IRL

Seven of the most valuable Minecraft gems and materials exist in real life: gold, lapis lazuli, diamond, obsidian, emerald, amethyst and granite. Each one below comes with where it is found on Earth, how it forms, and the history and crystal lore that made people treasure it long before any video game.

If you love mining in the game, this is your guide to the real minerals behind the blocks.

Dig in!

1. Gold

Gold is a valuable metal and has a long history. It has had a unique status for millennia and is one of the few metals that can be found in its native state. It comes in yellow colour, although it may be purple, ruby, or black (when finely divided). Gold has a value of 2.5-3 on the Mohs hardness scale.

In its free elemental form, gold occurs as grains or nuggets in veins, rocks, and alluvial deposits. It is often alloyed with palladium and copper and also occurs in a reliable solution with silver. In its purest form, gold is a soft, dense, slightly reddish yellow, bright, ductile, and malleable metal.

It is not affected by exposure to most reagents or air and is a good conductor of heat or electricity. The amount of gold present is expressed with the term karat. Gold can be bent, shaped, or beaten into thin sheets.

In crystal lore, gold is linked with learning and personal growth, and many people see it as a symbol of reaching their full potential.

It is traditionally associated with confidence and balance, and people use it during calm, reflective moments. In chakra practice, it is linked with the heart, crown, and third-eye chakras.

2. Lapis Lazuli

A sought-after stone since ancient times, lapis lazuli symbolizes royalty, honor, and power. In the metaphysical world, it's considered a bringer of vision and direction to the leaders who bear it.

Lapis-Lazuli is found abundantly in Afghanistan, which is the world's top producer of this rock. Smaller quantities are in Chile, Argentina, Canada, Russia, and Pakistan. It's also found in small amounts in Arizona, California, and Colorado in the USA.

Ancient Egyptians treasured this stone for its spiritual insights. Pharaohs such as King Tut and others had their tombs heavily decorated with this stone as it was thought to bridge the gap between the living and the dead.

Egyptian artisans used this stone extensively in scarabs, pendants, and other forms of *lapis lazuli jewellery. Today, it is still used in meditation and in cleansing rituals as well as for seeking direction and guidance.

3. Diamond

Diamond is made of pure carbon and is known as the hardest natural substance on Earth. Due to its extraordinary brilliance, beauty, and hardness, diamonds are an indispensable material in the jewellery and industrial sectors.

The Earth's hardest natural mineral is extracted from three deposits: alluvial gravels, glacial tills, and kimberlite pipes. Diamonds that were formed in alluvial and glacial gravels were likely released by fluvial or glacial erosion of the kimberlite matrix.

These were then redeposited in rivers or glacial till. Diamonds in kimberlite pipes were delivered by the intrusions of magma into the Earth's surface from the mantle millions of years ago.

In terms of colour, diamonds can be colourless to black. Some rare specimens are clear or pale blue which are the most valued in the market. Diamonds may be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

Through radiation or heating, the colour of diamonds can be changed to suit aesthetic preferences.

4. Obsidian

Obsidian is a mineral-like rock made from rapidly cooled lava. But it's not considered a mineral because of its glassy appearance and composition. On the Mohs scale of hardness, it ranges from 5-6.

This volcanic glass was valued in the Stone Age by cultures because, like flint, it could be broken down to produce arrowheads or sharp blades.

Like all glass, obsidian breaks with conchoidal fracture as compared to other types of naturally occurring rocks. In the past, obsidian was also refined to create mirrors. It is also used as a decorative material and as a gemstone.

Obsidian chunks can be obtained in locations which have experienced volcanic eruptions which include the North, Central and South Americas, Scotland, Europe, Africa, Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Papua New Guinea.

5. Emerald

Emerald is a gemstone popular for its deep, crystal clear green colour. What gives it its colour? It begins as a clear crystal, but trace amounts of chromium or vanadium taint the gemstone, producing in it a green colour.

The chemical formula for emerald is Be3Al2(SiO3)6. It's a silicate mineral, classified as a cyclosilicate because it's a variety of beryl.

The origin of emeralds can be traced back over 2,500 million years. These emeralds were found in Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. Other emeralds were found in Pakistan, dating back 9 million years. This means that emeralds are one of the oldest known gemstones.

Emerald mining dates back to 1,500 BCE in Egypt, and 1,300 CE in Austria and India. Despite its ancient roots, emerald mining now mostly takes place in Colombia.

6. Amethyst

The traditional birthstone for February, amethyst is a semiprecious stone and one of several forms of quartz. Throughout the centuries, it has been highly esteemed for its beauty, and in crystal lore it is linked with calm and clear thinking. It comes in hues that range from deep purple to light pinkish violet, with red and blue as its secondary hues.

In Ancient Greece, people believed that it prevented intoxication and they carved drinking vessels from it. Its name itself comes from the Koine Greek “ amethystos, meaning not, and methysko, meaning intoxicate.

European soldiers, on the other hand, wore amulets made of amethyst as protection in battle, because they believed it helped them stay cool-headed. Amethyst is considered sacred to the Buddha by Tibetans, who make prayer beads from it.

In crystal lore, amethyst is traditionally linked with intuition, inspiration and spiritual growth, and many people keep amethyst clusters nearby during meditation.

Some people wear it on the left wrist as a reminder of their spiritual goals. Recharge your stone under the light of the moon because sunlight may fade its color.

7. Granite

Granite stands out as the most popular igneous rock. It is abundantly found at the Earth's surface.

Since it's very accessible, people use it to make a variety of objects we see around us everyday such as paving stones, floor tiles, curbing, stair treads, and monuments. You'll see this rock in many different forms if you live in a city.

What is granite made of? This light-coloured igneous rock consists of quartz and feldspar, with some trace amounts of amphiboles (a group of complex silicate minerals), mica, and some other minerals. Granite forms due to the slow crystallization process of magma beneath the Earth's surface.

There are various metaphysical properties ascribed to granite in folklore. It is called a guardian stone because it is traditionally linked with protection, especially for children and for people with high-risk jobs such as police, firefighters, and military personnel.

A granite talisman is believed to promote abundance and fruitfulness in areas like business, finances, and relationships.

In feng shui, this igneous rock is displayed in the northeast portion of the home/office to promote self-cultivation; in the southwest area to attract productive partnerships and relationships; and at the center for grounding and clearing out negative energy.

Want to hold the real thing? Many of these minerals come as small rough pieces and specimens that suit a kid's first rock collection: see our kits and collections.