What’s the quickest way to get diamonds? [duplicate]

Question

I wanted to know, what’s the quickest way to get diamonds? I want to start a survival world, but I want to be able to get diamonds quickly. Please share the quickest ways you found!

Answer 1

The most efficient mining strategy would be to go down to y-11 and do branch mining. Here is a detailed list of diamond-mining methods, ranging from early-game to late-game.

Simple Branch Mining (Beginner)

This method is for beginners. (just started a new world)

Advantages

• Very thorough
• No risk of lava at head height
• Many other useful resources uncovered

Disadvantages

• Very resource-intensive
• Many trips may be needed to deposit resources

Resources needed

• A few stone pickaxes
• 1-2 iron pickaxes
• A few stacks of torches

Optional resources

• A stack of scaffolding blocks (ie cobblestone)
• A water bucket

Steps to do it

1. Mine a hole or staircase down to y-11.
2. Create a 2x2 tunnel in one direction.
3. Create small 1x2 indentations on both sides, skipping 2 blocks at a time. It should look like this:

Key: W = Wall, S = Space, ... = continue pattern
      ......
      W S S W
    W W S S W W
... S S S S S S ...
    W W S S W W
      W S S W
       .....

4. Mine the indentations forward until you are satisfied.

Yields

• 9 diamonds per hour

Simple Branch Mining (Advanced)

This method is the same as the above mentioned method, but for mid to late-game players.

Resources needed

• Several diamond/netherite pickaxes (preferably enchanted with Unbreaking 3, Efficiency 5, Mending)
• A few stacks of torches

Optional resources

• A water bucket
• A Haste II beacon
• Pickaxes enchanted with Silk Touch
• An XP farm readily available nearby to repair tools
• A diamond/netherite shovel
• A few shulker boxes to store materials

Field Mining

This method removes all blocks at a y-level very quickly

Advantages

• Very thorough
• No risk of lava at head height
• Easy to navigate and scout
• Covers a large area

Disadvantages

• Resource-intensive
• Low blocks mined to blocks uncovered ratio

Resources needed

• Several diamond/netherite pickaxes (preferably enchanted with Unbreaking 3, Efficiency 5, Mending)
• A few stacks of torches

Optional resources

• A water bucket
• A Haste II beacon
• Pickaxes enchanted with Silk Touch
• An XP farm readily available nearby to repair tools
• A diamond/netherite shovel
• A few shulker boxes to store materials

How to do it

1. Mine down to y-11.
2. Start mining all around in circles where you are.
3. Expand the circle that you made.
4. Repeat step 3 until you are satisfied.

Yields

• 8 diamonds per hour

TNT Mining

This method is fun to watch.

Advantages

• Very satisfying to watch
• Many blocks uncovered

Disadvantages

• Very resource-intensive
• You may blow yourself up
• Some diamond ores may be destroyed upon explosion
• Much preparations are needed

Resources needed

• A few stacks of TNT
• A few iron or better pickaxes
• Flint and steel OR a Flame bow

Optional resources

• A water bucket
• Blast protection armor

How to do it

1. Dig out an area where you want to blow things up.
2. Place the TNT in this grid arrangement:

Key: T = TNT, S = Space, ... = Continue this pattern
                   ...
... T S S T S S T S S T S S T S S T S S T ...
... T S S T S S T S S T S S T S S T S S T ...
                   ...

3. With the bow or flint and steel, ignite a TNT.
4. Wait for all TNT to explode.
5. Ignite all remaining TNT
6. Collect resources uncovered.

Yields

• ~0.4 diamond per 10 TNT

If you want a detailed list of methods for netherite, check out this post. If you have any other methods you would like to inquire about, comment down below. I hope this helps.