⛏️ Iron Ore

Iron Ore is a vital resource in Stardew Valley, primarily obtained by mining Iron Ore nodes in the mines or through the use of a Stone Pickaxe on iron nodes. It can also be found in barrels and crates as you explore the mines or received as gifts from villagers. Iron Ore is essential for crafting and upgrading various tools and buildings.

⛏️ Sources

Iron Ore can be collected in several ways:

Mining Iron Ore nodes in the mines (levels 1-40)
Breaking barrels and crates in the mines
Found in fishing treasure chests
Dropped by certain monsters (e.g., Rock Carbs)

🔨 Uses

Iron Ore is used for various crafting and upgrades:

Crafting: Necessary for crafting Metal Bars, which are used in many advanced recipes
Upgrading Tools: Required for upgrading your Pickaxe, Axe, and Hoe at the Blacksmith
Quests: Occasionally requested in Help Wanted board quests
Bundles: Needed for the Blacksmith’s Bundle in the Pantry

💰 Profitability

Iron Ore can be sold directly, but is more valuable when processed:

Smelting it into Iron Bars (sells for 100g each)
Used in crafting items that can fetch a higher price
Required for multiple end-game crafting projects

💡 Tips & Strategies

Pro Tip: Prioritize mining Iron Ore in the early game to facilitate tool upgrades and crafting.

Create a surplus of Iron Bars for tool upgrades and advanced recipes
Use bombs in mines to clear large areas for quick mining
Check the traveling cart for potential Iron Ore sales