ZA - Better amethyst
by Zhengels
ZA - Better amethyst is a NeoForge mod that expands the uses of amethyst shards, adding tools, blocks and mechanics built around them.
What it does
Amethyst shards gain several roles. A Smithing Table recipe upgrades golden tools with an amethyst upgrade, and Smithing Templates for amethyst upgrades can be found in ancient cities, desert pyramids, treasure chests and ruined structures. Once applied, the upgrade lets an item be duplicated in the same way Netherite upgrades work, and the mod shortens the gap between iron and diamond gear and makes netherite faster to work with.
Amethyst also powers resonant blocks. Harnessing its resonant energy creates ancient runes that emit area effects reaching creatures within a 32-block radius. Placing a Redstone Lamp above or below a rune lets the effect filter which players and entities it touches, which can help build safe zones for mob farms. Each rune's effect can be customized by placing an item on it, and certain offerings store energy that repairs gear automatically.
The server and every player need the mod installed. It is released under the MIT License and is not open source. Files are published for NeoForge 1.21.1 only, and the latest is 1.1.5, released 2025-11-30.
Key features
Amethyst upgrades
A Smithing Table recipe applies an amethyst upgrade to golden tools, and the upgrade can be duplicated like a Netherite upgrade.
Upgrade templates
Amethyst upgrade Smithing Templates appear in ancient cities, desert pyramids, treasure and ruined structures.
Resonant runes
Amethyst energy creates runes that emit potion-style auras to creatures within a 32-block radius.
Redstone Lamp filtering
A Redstone Lamp placed above or below a rune limits which players and entities the effect reaches.
Customizable effects
Placing an item on a rune changes the effect it emits, and stored energy can repair equipment automatically.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players who want more uses for amethyst in survival play, and server owners who want area effects that can be filtered by player or entity.
How it compares
Amethyst Things is a NeoForge mod for 1.21.4 under All rights reserved, not open source, and it runs on client and server. Amethyst Revamped is a NeoForge mod for 1.21.4 – 1.21.8 under All rights reserved, and it is server-side only, so players join without installing it. Project Amethyst is a NeoForge mod for 1.21.1 – 1.21.8 under the MIT License, and it runs on client and server.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZA - Better amethyst | NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2025-11-30 |
| Amethyst Things | NeoForge | 1.21.4 | Client and server | 2025-12-01 |
| Amethyst Revamped | NeoForge | 1.21.4 – 1.21.8 | Server-side only | 2026-07-04 |
| Project Amethyst | NeoForge | 1.21.1 – 1.21.8 | Client and server | 2025-12-01 |
Questions
Does ZA - Better amethyst need NeoForge?
Does the server need the mod?
Which versions does the mod support?
In the catalog
ZA - Better amethyst is one of 12,078 Decoration mods on ModsFinder, and one of 5,201 Decoration mods for NeoForge. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
More from Zhengels
Similar mods
What the author says
This mod makes amethyst a lot more useful. It adds new tools, blocks and mechanics. Crafting: Upgrade golden tools in a Smithing Table using an Amethyst Upgrade and an Amethyst Shard.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/za-better-amethyst
- Owner
- Zhengels
- Published
- 2025-08-28
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-11-30
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15