In the current version of Minecraft, you cannot smelt a diamond pickaxe in a furnace or blast furnace to recover diamonds. Smelting tools in the game typically offers a minimal return, such as a single iron or gold nugget for their respective tool types, but this mechanic does not apply to diamond tools, nor does it return the full crafting materials.
However, a proposed game mechanic suggests a different method, often referred to as "tool melting," that would allow players to reclaim resources from their tools, including diamond pickaxes.
Proposed Tool Melting Mechanic
Under this hypothetical mechanic, tools could be "melted" down to retrieve some of their original crafting materials. This process would involve putting the tool together with a lava bucket, rather than using a traditional furnace for smelting.
How Tool Melting Would Work (Proposed)
The amount of resources returned from melting a tool like a diamond pickaxe would depend on its remaining durability. This system would offer a way to regain valuable diamonds, especially from tools that are no longer fully functional or have been replaced.
Diamond Returns from Melting a Diamond Pickaxe
If this proposed "tool melting" mechanic were implemented, the number of diamonds recovered from a diamond pickaxe would vary based on its durability:
| Durability Range | Diamonds Returned |
|---|---|
| Full Durability | 3 Diamonds |
| 99% to 66% Durability | 2 Diamonds |
| Less than 66% Durability | 1 Diamond |
This mechanic would provide a valuable method for resource recovery, allowing players to repurpose old or nearly broken tools into raw materials.
Implications of a Tool Melting Mechanic (Hypothetical)
If a tool melting feature were added to Minecraft, it would bring several benefits:
- Resource Efficiency: Players could recover valuable diamonds from worn-out pickaxes, reducing the need for extensive mining to gather new materials.
- Dealing with Broken Tools: Instead of simply discarding nearly broken diamond tools, players could "melt" them down for a partial refund of their crafting cost.
- Salvaging Enchantments: For tools with unwanted or low-tier enchantments, this mechanic would offer an alternative to grinding them away, allowing for resource recovery instead.
