I want to start strip mining for diamond. I know the technique on how to shape the mine, but I am confused on how to get to the correct level. The wiki says level 10 is where diamond is commonly found and sometimes on 12. So my question is, if I dig a hole straight to bedrock, how many blocks must I then place under me in order to get to the correct diamond layer?
The bedrock layer is somewhat uneven, so you may hit bedrock as high as Level 4 or not. Using your map is the best indicator. If you've lost your map, you can craft a new one by crafting a compass first (uses a little redstone and iron) and paper from sugarcane and then combining them.
Diamonds are found at any Level below Y16, with Y10 having the greatest concentration of them. I prefer Y12 since it has almost as many diamonds as Y10 and it means that most lava you encounter will be at your feet and easily handled by pouring a bucket of water over it. If you mine at Y10, you will find yourself breaking open the lava lakes from underneath and the lava will flow down over your head if you're not careful.
I've found that the majority of diamonds on xbox version runs between layers 4/5 up to around 10/12. You don't want to goto bedrock and then 'dig up' IMHO, you start mining at bedrock level or the highest bedrock layer which i believe is 4. I've found more diamonds at bedrock level then above, with the exception of caves.
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i go to bed rock and dig out a central room for a bed, furnace, chest, crafting table, etc.. then go to maybe level 9 or so and make another level with the same method.. i dont usually make a third level but you could definitely make one, although you are more likely to run into deep caves at that height
anything below 17 and you will find some diamonds but level 12 is my personal sweet spot
And your map will tell you your head level. So if it says Y=12, then if you dig out the block at your head and feet, you'll be digging lvl's 11&12. You could dig out lvls 10-12 with a 3 block high tunnel with your head at lvl 11. Take a couple buckets of water with you, maybe even make an endless water supply when you get to your base area down there. You'll need it for the lava you encounter.
Actually there was a thread made on the PC forums about what is the most efficient way to mine diamonds (more diamonds less everyother block) Using mathematic formulas (how many diamonds per chunk, other blocks per chunk etc) They worked out the best method is actually to go down to level 9-10 and branch mine, the odd thing about this is instead of the normal branch mine technique of every third block they suggest branching every 9th to 10th and to dig your tunnels 3 high.
Make sure you bring a fortune 3 Pickaxe.
I got over a stack and I've inly found about 6 different diamond veins.
I usually build a long tunnel at y=12 and mine every third block usually to the closest side of the map.
If I ever see a slime down there I'll have to build a slime farm as I have 0 slime balls.
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Well, after reading this thread over and over, I may have messed up. I built a base of operations at level 10 and started branching. I think this may be slightly too deep, and I am going to make a second floor with another branch. My question is, do I make the 2nd floor 2 blocks above my first, or just 1?
Well, after reading this thread over and over, I may have messed up. I built a base of operations at level 10 and started branching. I think this may be slightly too deep, and I am going to make a second floor with another branch. My question is, do I make the 2nd floor 2 blocks above my first, or just 1?
I didn't mean to discourage you. Level 10 is OK if you're prepared to deal with breaking open lava over your head from time to time. It's not impossible to do that, just that I prefer to work on Level 12 where the lava is at my feet. If you've already dug out a base on Level 10, you could just dig a couple of stairs up to level 12 and then start branching out on Level 12.
I dont mind the lava, I wont be making a HUGE, across the whole map mine. I might just keep using my level 10 mine, then make a 2nd floor to it just to cover more ground. Unless you guys think I should abandon the level 10 and go up before I get too far into the current one.
I dont mind the lava, I wont be making a HUGE, across the whole map mine. I might just keep using my level 10 mine, then make a 2nd floor to it just to cover more ground. Unless you guys think I should abandon the level 10 and go up before I get too far into the current one.
I think it's completely up to you then. The difference in the number of diamonds on Level 10 vs. Level 12 is just not that great. See the distribution table in the Wiki:
I did some more strip mining at level 10 tonight. I didnt find any diamond so I got bored with it and went cave exploring. I found a huge lava room and there were 3 separate diamond veins. I managed to get about 28 diamonds using my enchanted pick.
lvl 10 is fine, diamonds only go up to lvl 16, i normally leave 2 blocks, but doesnt really make much difference, its all down to luck
i have found diamonds on level 19, that is why i branch mine from level 20 down. 90% of the diamonds i have found on my seed have been between level 12 & 19, mostly between 14 & 17.
i do it at LV 10.I would reccomond 12 if you don't have a lot of potion of fire restiants since,well i have a slime farm and blaze farm which equals up to potion of fire restitants so i usally just swim in lava
Diamonds are found at any Level below Y16, with Y10 having the greatest concentration of them. I prefer Y12 since it has almost as many diamonds as Y10 and it means that most lava you encounter will be at your feet and easily handled by pouring a bucket of water over it. If you mine at Y10, you will find yourself breaking open the lava lakes from underneath and the lava will flow down over your head if you're not careful.
anything below 17 and you will find some diamonds but level 12 is my personal sweet spot
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If you dig to Y10, 4 high, you are covering from Y10 to Y14, which is where most diamonds are, I find.
I got over a stack and I've inly found about 6 different diamond veins.
I usually build a long tunnel at y=12 and mine every third block usually to the closest side of the map.
If I ever see a slime down there I'll have to build a slime farm as I have 0 slime balls.
I didn't mean to discourage you. Level 10 is OK if you're prepared to deal with breaking open lava over your head from time to time. It's not impossible to do that, just that I prefer to work on Level 12 where the lava is at my feet. If you've already dug out a base on Level 10, you could just dig a couple of stairs up to level 12 and then start branching out on Level 12.
I think it's completely up to you then. The difference in the number of diamonds on Level 10 vs. Level 12 is just not that great. See the distribution table in the Wiki:
http://www.minecraft...iki/Diamond_Ore
i have found diamonds on level 19, that is why i branch mine from level 20 down. 90% of the diamonds i have found on my seed have been between level 12 & 19, mostly between 14 & 17.