Finding geodes
Amethyst geodes generate as hollow spheres from Y 30 down to bedrock-adjacent levels, often under oceans and swamps. Telltale signs: smooth calcite ring and a smooth smooth basalt outer shell breaking the cave wall. An geode exposed in a cave wall glitters with purple crystal clusters — the moment you recognize the calcite, you have found one.
The budding block rules
Inside, clusters grow on the budding amethyst block (the slightly-crossed-texture block — the only one that grows new crystals). Breaking clusters drops 4 amethyst shards; breaking the budding block itself drops nothing and kills the farm — never touch it. Growth stages: small, medium, large, cluster. Only fully grown clusters drop shards.
The shard economy
Shards craft tinted glass, spyglasses, amethyst blocks and — critically — Allay duplication. Leave a mined-out geode with its budding block intact and harvest clusters on a loop: it is a passive shard farm for spyglass-adjacent crafting and helper logistics.
