Digging Into Minecraft

Like all metamorphic rocks, lapis lazuli forms from other rocks that were transformed by heat and pressure deep within Earth. In Minecraft, lapis lazuli can enchant items or be used as a blue dye to color things like fireworks and glass. Real-life artists also once prized this rock for its color, grinding it into a pigment, or colored substance, to create a vibrant blue paint.

Deep within Earth, heat and pressure transform rocks. This turns them into metamorphic rocks, like lapis lazuli. In Minecraft, lapis lazuli can enchant items or serve as a blue dye. It colors things like fireworks and glass. Real-life artists also used to prize this rock for its color. They ground it into a pigment, or colored substance. Then they created a bright-blue paint with it.

In Minecraft, players create obsidian blocks by pouring water onto lava. On Earth, this glassy, black igneous rock forms when lava from a volcanic eruption rapidly cools in air or water. The Minecraft version of obsidian is mainly used to craft portals to another dimension. Real-life obsidian can’t create mystical gateways—but it can be carved into sharp-edged tools.

Minecraft players pour water onto lava to create obsidian blocks. On Earth, this igneous rock forms during a volcanic eruption. It forms when lava quickly cools in air or water. In Minecraft, obsidian is mainly used to make portals to another dimension. Real-life obsidian can’t create mystical gateways. But people can carve this glassy, black rock into sharp-edged tools.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that forms when sand becomes cemented together over time. Just like on Earth, sandstone is found in deserts and near oceans in Minecraft. Sandstone has the same uses in the game as in real life: “It makes a good building material,” says Rader. Many temples, cathedrals, and statues are made from sandstone.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock. It forms when sand becomes cemented together over time. On Earth and in Minecraft, sandstone is found in deserts and near oceans. This rock has the same uses in the game and in real life. “It makes a good building material,” says Rader. Many temples, cathedrals, and statues are made from sandstone.

In Minecraft, diamond can be turned into durable pickaxes and super-strong battle gear. In real life, diamond is the hardest substance on Earth. This valuable mineral is useful for drilling, cutting, and polishing other tough materials, says Rader. But because diamonds are rigid, they’d be extremely difficult to shape into armor or weapons like in the game.

In Minecraft, players turn diamond into super-strong pickaxes and battle gear. In real life, diamond is the hardest substance on Earth. This valuable mineral is useful for drilling, cutting, and polishing other tough materials, says Rader. Diamonds are rigid. So they might be shaped into armor or weapons in the game. But that would be extremely difficult in real life.

Shimmery purple amethyst can be found inside hollow rocks called geodes. Geodes form when bubbles of gas are trapped in cooling lava. Mineral-rich water seeps into the rocks and evaporates, leaving behind crystals. In Minecraft, players can use amethyst to craft spyglasses and tinted glass. In real life, amethyst is mainly used in jewelry.

Amethyst is a shimmery purple mineral. It’s found inside hollow rocks called geodes. Geodes form when gas bubbles are trapped in cooling lava. Mineral-rich water seeps into the rocks. Then it evaporates and leaves crystals behind. In Minecraft, players can craft spyglasses and tinted glass from amethyst. In real life, amethyst is mainly used in jewelry.