Amethyst OSRS XP/HR: Maximize Your Mining Experience in 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of mining methods, but few are as intriguing as mining amethyst. Known for its high-level requirements and unique rewards, amethyst mining stands out as a low-effort, profitable option for players looking to train their Mining skill. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the XP per hour (XP/HR) you can expect from mining amethyst in OSRS, along with tips to optimize your setup, profitability insights, and how it stacks up against other methods. Whether you’re chasing level 99 Mining or just want a chill way to earn GP, this guide has you covered.
Amethyst is the highest-level ore in OSRS, requiring a Mining level of 92 to extract from crystals located in the Mining Guild. Introduced as part of the game’s guild expansions, it’s used to craft high-tier ranging ammunition like amethyst bolts, arrows, javelins, and darts. This makes it a valuable resource for both profit and combat training, especially for Ironmen who rely on self-sufficiency.
Location and Requirements
You’ll find amethyst crystals in two areas of the Mining Guild: the southwestern section (accessible to all) and a larger western cave (unlocked after completing the Elite Falador Diary). To mine amethyst, you’ll need:
- Mining Level 92: The base requirement to start mining amethyst.
- A Pickaxe: Options range from Rune to Dragon or Crystal pickaxes, with higher tiers improving efficiency.
- Optional Gear: Items like Expert Mining Gloves and Varrock Armour 4 can boost your output.
Why Mine Amethyst?
Amethyst mining is popular for its low click intensity and decent profitability. While it doesn’t offer the fastest XP rates, it’s an excellent AFK method, allowing you to multitask or relax while still progressing your Mining skill. Plus, the ore’s value on the Grand Exchange adds a financial incentive, often netting 300k-500k GP per hour depending on market prices.
Amethyst OSRS XP/HR: Breaking Down the Numbers
The experience per hour from mining amethyst varies based on your Mining level, gear, and focus. Unlike high-intensity methods like 3-tick granite mining, amethyst offers a slower but steadier pace. Let’s explore the XP rates you can expect.
Base XP Rates
Each amethyst mined grants 240 Mining XP. Without boosts or optimal gear, players typically mine 80-100 amethyst per hour, translating to:
- 19,200–24,000 XP/HR: At level 92 with a Rune Pickaxe and minimal attention.
- 20,000–25,000 XP/HR: At level 99 with a Dragon Pickaxe and moderate focus.
These rates make amethyst one of the slower training methods, but its AFK nature compensates for the lower XP grind.
Boosted XP Rates with Optimal Gear
Using top-tier equipment and boosts can slightly improve your XP/HR. Here’s how:
- Crystal Pickaxe: About 5-7% faster than a Rune Pickaxe, pushing rates closer to 22,000–26,000 XP/HR.
- Expert Mining Gloves: Prevents crystal depletion on one roll, increasing ore yield and thus XP over time.
- Varrock Armour 4: Offers a 10% chance to mine an extra amethyst, adding a small XP boost.
With full optimization, you might hit 25,000–27,000 XP/HR at level 99, though this requires completing the Elite Falador Diary and maintaining a charged Crystal Pickaxe.
Comparison to Other Methods
To put amethyst XP/HR in perspective, here’s a quick comparison with other Mining methods:
Method | XP/HR | Level Req | Effort |
---|---|---|---|
Amethyst | 20,000–27,000 | 92 | Low |
3-Tick Granite | 100,000–130,000 | 45+ | Very High |
Motherlode Mine | 30,000–55,000 | 30+ | Low |
Blast Mine | 75,000–100,000 | 75+ | High |
Amethyst lags behind in raw XP but shines for its relaxed pace and profit potential.
How to Optimize Your Amethyst Mining Setup
Maximizing your XP/HR and profits from amethyst mining requires the right setup. Here’s how to get the most out of your sessions.
Best Pickaxe Choices
Your pickaxe directly impacts mining speed:
- Rune Pickaxe: The minimum viable option at 92 Mining, affordable but slower.
- Dragon Pickaxe: A solid mid-tier choice, offering better speed without upkeep costs.
- Crystal Pickaxe: The best option, requiring charges from the Song of the Elves quest but boosting efficiency by up to 7%.
Gear and Boosts
Beyond the pickaxe, consider these enhancements:
- Expert Mining Gloves: Obtained with 60 Unidentified Minerals from Belona in the Mining Guild. They reduce depletion chances, letting you mine more per hour.
- Varrock Armour 4: From the Elite Varrock Diary, it doubles ore occasionally, slightly increasing XP and profit.
- Celestial Ring: Adds a +4 invisible Mining boost, though it doesn’t affect amethyst’s base requirement.
AFK vs. Active Mining
Amethyst mining is inherently AFK-friendly, with crystals taking longer to deplete than most ores. You can mine for up to 3-5 minutes before needing to switch spots, making it ideal for casual play. Active mining (clicking more frequently) might nudge your XP/HR closer to 27,000, but the difference is minimal compared to the effort saved by going AFK.
Profitability of Amethyst Mining
Beyond XP, amethyst mining is a goldmine—literally. The ore’s value fluctuates, but as of April 2025, it typically sells for 3,500–4,000 GP each on the Grand Exchange. Here’s a breakdown:
GP Per Hour
With 80-100 amethyst mined per hour:
- Base Profit: 280,000–400,000 GP/HR.
- With Boosts: Up to 500,000 GP/HR with Expert Gloves and Varrock Armour 4.
Crafting amethyst into dart tips or arrowtips onsite can further increase profits, though it requires a chisel and cuts into AFK time.
Crafting Amethyst for Extra XP
If you bring a chisel, you can craft amethyst into ranging items:
- Dart Tips: 60 Crafting XP per amethyst, yielding 15 tips.
- Arrowtips: 60 Crafting XP, yielding 15 tips.
- Bolt Tips: 60 Crafting XP, yielding 15 tips.
- Javelin Heads: 60 Crafting XP, yielding 5 heads.
This adds roughly 4,800–6,000 Crafting XP/HR, making it a dual-skill training option for Ironmen or profit-focused players.
Tips and Tricks for Amethyst Mining Success
To make your amethyst mining journey smoother, here are some practical tips:
Reducing Competition
The Mining Guild can get crowded. Completing the Elite Falador Diary unlocks the western cave, which has more crystals and fewer players. Alternatively, hop worlds during peak times to find quieter spots.
Managing Inventory
Banking amethyst is simple with the nearby Mining Guild chest. For longer sessions, craft items onsite to stack them in your inventory, avoiding frequent trips. A gem bag can also hold extra loot like Unidentified Minerals.
Long-Term Goals
From 92 to 99 Mining, you’ll need about 325 hours at 25,000 XP/HR, mining roughly 27,000 amethyst. That’s a potential 94–108M GP profit—enough to fund bonds or gear upgrades. Pair it with Crafting for a well-rounded grind.
Amethyst mining in OSRS isn’t the fastest way to 99, but its blend of low effort, decent XP, and solid profits makes it a standout choice for many players. Whether you’re an Ironman gathering ammo or a main building wealth, this method offers a relaxed yet rewarding path. So grab your pickaxe, head to the Mining Guild, and start mining those purple gems—your XP and GP will thank you!