Ethan Erekson 
Image: ConcernedApe via HGG / Ethan Erekson
Ethan is our resident Stardew Valley expert. He has also covered Genshin Impact, Animal Crossing, and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
Iridium is one of the most coveted resources in Stardew Valley for plenty of good reasons. It’s a key ingredient in several top items and the final tool upgrades. You’ll also need it to build structures and complete quests that are necessary for 100% Perfection. Here’s some of the many ways of farming iridium in Stardew Valley, so you can have this coveted resource as soon as possible.
Let’s get started!
Iridium Farming in the Mines
Early on in the Stardew Valley, there aren’t a ton of options for farming iridium. It’s a fairly rare resource, after all. However, once you reach Level 80 in the mines, you’ll unlock a couple reliable methods for getting iridium.
Magma and Omni Geodes
After Level 80, you reach the lava/purple earth section of the mines, where you can find Magma Geodes inside of rocks. These are one of the geode types that can have iridium ore inside. While the other type, Omni Geodes, can be found as early as Level 21, they’re rarer and therefore less reliable. Upon reaching Level 81, all the geodes you find have a chance of producing iridium.
Just head down to the mines and break some rocks. Once you get some geodes, head over to Clint’s blacksmith shop and get them opened. Alternatively, you can use a Geode Crusher if you’ve completed Clint’s Special Order, “Cave Patrol.” Magma and Omni Geodes each have a 1 in 20 chance of procuring iridium, so you’ll need a decent number. You better get mining!
Shadow Shamans and Shadow Brutes
The other thing that shows up in the mines after Level 80 are Shadow Shamans and Shadow Brutes, two void spirit monsters that have an 0.2% chance of dropping iridium bars. Sure, it’s a pretty low drop rate. Though, when your options are limited, you might as well give it a shot.
Iridium Farming on the Farm
Later on in the game, a couple other options open up, and you can start finding iridium on your farm! Many of these methods can take some time and effort, but it can definitely be worthwhile once you get there. Here’s how to farm iridium on your farm in Stardew Valley.
Hilltop Farm
If you chose the Hilltop or Four Corners Farm, then you’re in luck! Iridium and Magma Geode Nodes can show up on your farm. All you have to do is level up the Mining Skill to Level 10. It can certainly take some time, but once you do, you can get iridium without having to put your life on the line.
Super Sea Cucumbers
Another way to farm iridium on your farm is with fish ponds. Once you fish up a Super Cucumber, toss it in and complete any quests they give you so you can get their population up to nine. At this point, Super Cucumbers have a 5% chance of producing iridium ore each day!
To increase those odds, you can split them up into multiple fish ponds. Once all those ponds have a population of at least nine, each has a chance of producing iridium, making it more likely you’ll get some that day.
Statues of Endless Fortune and Perfection
Of course, if you want the most reliable way of farming iridium in Stardew Valley, you’ll have to pay a hefty price. The Statue of Endless Fortune has a 25% chance of producing an iridium bar each day, but if you want to get it, you’ll have to first unlock the Casino. And once you do, each statue will cost you 1,000,000g. You’ll need some serious cash if you want to pursue this method. However, if you’re determined, you can check out our guide on making money in Stardew Valley to help you out.
Another statue that’s just as, if not more, reliable at producing iridium is the Statue of Perfection. It produces 2–8 iridium ore each day. However, to get this statue, you’ll need to reach 100% Perfection first. As such, it’s probably better to rely on other iridium farming methods in the meantime.
Iridium Farming in the Quarry
A great place to farm iridium in Stardew Valley is the Quarry, a location that you unlock after repairing the bridge. This can be done by completing the Crafts Room bundles in the Community Center or by paying 25,000g to have it done through the Joja Community Development Form. The Quarry is one of the few locations you can find Iridium Nodes and Mystic Stones, which are both sources of iridium ore. On top of that, they both have a chance of containing prismatic shards, which is pretty nice. This is definitely one of the more accessible places to farm iridium in Stardew Valley, and there’s no monsters to be found! You can also use bombs to speed up the process and clear out the quarry in minutes.
Iridium Farming in Skull Cavern
One of the best locations for iridium farming in Stardew Valley is Skull Cavern. Skull Cavern is located in the northwest area of the Desert, and it can be unlocked after reaching Level 120 of the Mines. Making your way through Skull Cavern is dangerous and difficult, so you’ll want to have your best equipment on hand. As for what weapons to go with, you won’t want anything less than a Lava Katana, as the enemies in Skull Cavern are particularly challenging. Fortunately, fortune awaits, and the rewards are definitely worth the risk.
Staircases and Mega Bombs
The chance of finding iridium ore increases the further down you go, so you’ll want to make your descent as quickly as possible. Some of the best ways to do this are with staircases and mega bombs. Staircases are an item that’s crafted from 99 stone, and they let you move down to the next level. If you need extra stone, you can purchase it from Robin. Mega bombs, on the other hand, let you destroy tons of rocks and minerals at once so you can quickly find ladders or shafts so you can make your descent. You can craft mega bombs or buy them from the Dwarf. With these items, you can descend quickly and have plenty of iridium ore veins to farm from.
Monster Drops
Of course, finding Iridium Nodes isn’t the only way to farm iridium in Skull Cavern. You can also hunt down monsters, as there are several that drop iridium ore, even if you’re on the upper levels. Purple Slimes have a chance of dropping iridium, and they can be found all throughout Skull Cavern. If you get past Level 26, then you can start finding Iridium Crabs, which are disguised as Iridium Nodes. They also drop iridium upon defeat.
Though if you want the best chances at getting iridium, then you’ll need to head down past Level 50. Once you get to this point, Iridium Bats start to show up, and they regularly drop iridium ore. They even have a chance of dropping iridium bars! So if you find yourself in need of iridium, then you better get down there as soon as possible.
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