Glowstone

From Minecraft Wiki
Glowstone
First Appearance Alpha 1.2.0
Type of Block Solid Block
Stackable Yes 64
Template:Tnavbar
For a block that looks similar to glowstone, see Shroomlight.

Glowstone is a light source block that emits a light level of 15. Glowstone can only be found naturally in the Nether, generating in clusters on the undersides of netherrack ceilings and in bastion remnants. Glowstone can also be obtained through trading with wandering traders. In Java Edition, journeyman-level Cleric villagers sell one glowstone for four emeralds. Glowstone can be crafted using four glowstone dust.

Location[edit | edit source]

Glowstone clusters can be found naturally on netherrack ceilings and overhangs in The Nether. Glowstone can also be found in bastion remnants. Glowstone can also be obtained through trading with wandering traders and journeyman-level Cleric villagers (Java Edition only).

Crafting[edit | edit source]

Glowstone Redstone Lamp
None None None None Redstone None
Glowstone Dust Glowstone Dust None Redstone Glowstone Redstone
Glowstone Dust Glowstone Dust None None Redstone None
Respawn Anchor
Crying Obsidian Crying Obsidian Crying Obsidian
Glowstone Glowstone Glowstone
Crying Obsidian Crying Obsidian Crying Obsidian


When glowstone is destroyed, it can drop anywhere from two to four pieces of glowstone dust (with the minimum being increased by the fortune enchantment). Therefore, destroying a certain amount of glowstone won't necessarily mean a player can craft the same amount of glowstone blocks from the dust gathered.

Players can also use a pickaxe with the silk touch enchantment to get the glowstone block itself.

Behavior[edit | edit source]

Breaking glowstone drops glowstone dust, which is used to re-craft the glowstone blocks. Unlike torches, it isn't destroyed by water and continues to emit light even when submerged, similar to Jack o' lanterns and sea lanterns. Like all non-sunlight light sources, glowstone blocks will cause nearby snow and ice to melt.

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • As of the Beta 1.6.6 update, the tool used to extract glowstone dust changed from a sword, when it acted as a glass type block, to a pickaxe, as it became a stone type block. In the same update, the amount of glowstone dust needed to craft glowstone changed from nine to four, and the amount of glowstone dust dropped after destroying glowstone changed from 1 to a range of 2 to 4 (excluding the fortune enchantment).
    • However, after 1.0.0, the tool required to destroy the block was changed back to a sword, as the block's type was changed back from "Stone" to "Glass".
  • A useful tactic for reaching clusters of glowstone that are very high up is to redirect a ghast's fireball at it. This is only recommended if the cluster itself is over the ground, though, or else the resulting dust could easily fall into the lava sea below.
  • After 1.2.5, mining glowstone will yield glowstone dust, but using the Silk Touch enchantment will yield glowstone.
  • The other name for glowstone, brimstone, is another name for pure sulfur.
  • Like top-side slabs, redstone placed on top of glowstone cannot power a redstone wire diagonally downwards but can be powered by that redstone wire. It also does not obstruct redstone currents in the way that solid blocks do.
  • In Minecraft Alpha, glowstone only dropped one piece of glowstone dust instead of 2–4 pieces.
  • It is possible to get glowstone in a trade with a cleric villager, making it a renewable source.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Video[edit | edit source]


fr:Glowstone