How to Get & Use Dark Amethyst in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)

While playing Baldur’s Gate 3, you will come across numerous items, from weapons and armor to mysterious artifacts, and even curios used in alchemy. Among them is the strange and ominous Dark Amethyst, which you can obtain during Act 1 of the game.

If you want to learn more about this object, you’ve come to the right place, so follow along below.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Dark Amethyst Location

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Dark Amethyst can be obtained during Act 1 of the game and plays an important part in the Search the Cellar quest. To initiate the quest, you will first need to head to Whispering Depths, an underground cave location that can be reached either by descending the well or through the hole in the Blacksmith’s house, both at Blighted Village. Once in Whispering Depths, locate the skeleton at approximately X:-493, Y:-367. This skeleton will have a journal which you can read to begin the quest.

However, before seeking out the cellar mentioned in this journal entry, you will first need to obtain the Dark Amethyst. This item can be acquired from the nest of the Phase Spider Matriarch, a boss who dwells in the Whispering Depths. To locate the Phase Spider Matriarch, you will need to travel to the approximate coordinates of X:-553 Y:-356.

Once you reach this location, the Dark Amethyst will be lying on the ground underneath the nest. You can claim the item by killing the Phase Spider Matriarch in combat or using a Dexterity-based character, such as a Rogue, to stealth around and steal the object while avoiding a boss battle.

However, combat is most likely the most worthwhile option, as the Phase Spider Matriarch also drops the Poisoner’s Robe upon defeat, a cloak that can amplify the potency of any character utilizing Spells that deal Poison damage. If you don’t plan to equip it to any of your party members, it can also be sold off for some coin, so it is more than worth taking on the combat — plus, that extra EXP will help you climb closer to your next level and unlock more powerful skills and features for your build.

How to Use Dark Amethyst in BG3

The Dark Amethyst is the key for the Necromancy of Thay book and a quest item for the Search the Cellar mission. This creepy book is hidden inside the cellar underneath the Apothecary behind the Blighted Village’s teleportation point (X:-647 Y:-364).

If you insert the Dark Amethyst into the hole on the book’s cover, you can read the content of the Necromancy of Thay. Be warned that you must pass three Wisdom Checks with increasing difficulties to finish reading the book, with the last roll check being 20. To help you succeed in these checks, having a companion capable of casting Guidance, such as Shadowheart, can come in extremely handy.

Guidance is one of the best Cantrips in the game, adding an extra +1d4 onto any check that you make, as long as the caster is within range of your character. To add Guidance to your roll, you can click the ‘Bonus’ section at the bottom of the box when you make the roll, and highlight Guidance. Now, an extra +1d4 will automatically be added to your roll, giving you better odds at succeeding these increasingly difficult checks.

In the case that you succeed in all three checks, you will receive a permanent “blessing” that lets you cast the Speak With Dead spell without using a spell slot. Speak With Dead is not only extremely handy for gathering information from corpses during your playthrough, but also enables more depth to your narrative experience. For this reason, you should make the most of it when possible, as you may learn new things — such as how a character in which you had previously encountered alive, ended up dead.

Now that you know how to use the Dark Amethyst in Baldur’s Gate 3, you can continue your journey and explore the Forgotten Realms. Before wrapping up Act 1, you’ll want to ensure you complete the Investigate the Ruins quest and meet Withers. This skeletal man offers several valuable services, such as bringing back dead companions and changing your class, so adding him to your camp ASAP is a must.