For Minecraft players, there’s no limit to building. You can create grand pirate ships, massive castles, or even cities filled with skyscrapers! No matter what a player builds, it all starts with blocks. Minecraft blocks are cubes that represent different materials, like wood and metal. There are more than 150 types of Minecraft blocks!

Many of these blocks are based on real minerals and rocks. “They’re similar to what you would see in the real world,” says Erika Rader. She’s a geologist who studies rocks. But many Minecraft blocks have different properties than the real versions.

How do Minecraft blocks compare with actual rocks and minerals? You’re about to find out!

There’s no limit to building for Minecraft players. They can create pirate ships or castles. They can even build entire cities! Everything a player builds starts with blocks. Minecraft blocks are cubes. There are more than 150 different types! Each one represents a different material, like wood or metal.

Many of these blocks are based on real minerals and rocks. “They’re similar to what you would see in the real world,” says Erika Rader. She’s a geologist. She studies rocks. But many Minecraft blocks do things the real versions don’t.

How do Minecraft blocks compare with actual rocks and minerals? You’re about to find out!

In Minecraft, players create obsidian (uhb-SIH-dee-uhn) blocks by pouring water onto lava. You can use these black and purple blocks to build portals to another world! In reality, obsidian isn’t magical. It’s a glassy black igneous rock that can be carved into sharp tools. Like the Minecraft version, real obsidian forms when lava cools quickly in air or water.

Minecraft players can make obsidian (uhb-SIH-dee-uhn) blocks. To do this, they pour water onto lava. They use these black and purple blocks to build portals. The blocks take players to another world. Obsidian isn’t magical in real-life. It’s a glassy, black igneous rock. It can be carved into sharp tools. Real obsidian forms when lava cools quickly in air or water. That’s just like the Minecraft version!

Diamonds aren’t just pretty. They’re also the hardest material on Earth! People use them to drill, cut, and polish other tough materials. In Minecraft, diamonds can be made into superstrong armor and weapons. This wouldn’t work in the real world. That’s because while diamonds are hard, they crack easily if you strike them.

Diamonds aren’t just pretty. They’re also the hardest material on Earth! People use them to drill, cut, and polish other tough materials. Minecraft diamonds can be made into superstrong armor and weapons. This wouldn’t work in the real world. Diamonds may be hard. But they crack easily if you strike them.

On Earth, amethyst (ah-muh-thuhst) is a shimmery, purple mineral mainly used in jewelry. It’s found inside hollow rocks called geodes. Geodes form when lava cools and hardens into rock and mineral-rich water seeps inside. Over time, the water evaporates, leaving behind crystals. In Minecraft, amethyst is used to craft spyglasses and tinted glass.

Amethyst (ah-muh-thuhst) on Earth is a shimmery, purple mineral. It’s mainly used in jewelry. It’s found inside hollow rocks. They’re called geodes. Geodes form when lava cools and hardens into rock. Then mineral-rich water seeps inside. The water evaporates over time. That leaves behind crystals. Minecraft amethyst is used to craft spyglasses and tinted glass.

In Minecraft, lapis lazuli (LA-puhs LA-zuh-lee) can give items special abilities—or give color to things like fireworks and glass. In the real world, lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock. That means it formed as a result of intense heat and pressure deep underground. For centuries, people have ground up lapis lazuli to create bright-blue paint!

Lapis lazuli (LA-puhs LA-zuh-lee) in Minecraft gives items special abilities. Or it can give color to things like fireworks and glass. In the real world, lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock. That means it formed deep underground from intense heat and pressure. People have ground up lapis lazuli for centuries. They used it to create bright-blue paint!

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that forms when sand is pressed together over time. Both in Minecraft and on Earth, sandstone often forms in deserts and along bodies of water. Sandstone has the same uses in the game as in real life—as a strong building material. Many real-life temples and statues are made from sandstone.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock. It forms when sand is pressed together over time. Sandstone often forms in deserts and along bodies of water. That happens in Minecraft and on Earth. Sandstone has the same uses in the game as in real life too. It’s a strong building material. Many real-life temples and statues are made from sandstone.