Redstone

Redstone (a.k.a Redstone Dust) is an item that was added in Update 0.8.0. It is obtained from mining Redstone Ore or killing a Witch.

Obtaining
It is possible to obtain Redstone Dust from Redstone Ore with an Iron Pickaxe or higher. As of Update 0.14.0, Redstone has a chance to be dropped by Witches when killed.

Uses
Redstone is mainly used for wiring to make mechanisms. It is also a crafting ingredient used in many components used to make such mechanisms. Redstone is also an important ingredient for Brewing, which when used extends a Potion's effect period for a certain amount of time.

Crafting

 * 6 Gold Ingot + 1 Stick + 1 Redstone => Powered Rail
 * 6 Iron Ingot + 1 Stone Pressure Plate + 1 Redstone => 6 Detector Rail
 * 4 Iron Ingot + 1 Redstone => Compass
 * 4 Gold Ingot +1 Redstone => Clock
 * 1 Block of Redstone => 9 redstone dust
 * 9 Redstone => 1 Redstone Block
 * 1 Redstone + 1 Stick => 4 Redstone Torch
 * 8 Wooden Planks + 1 Redstone => 1 Note Block
 * 4 Redstone + 1 Glowstone => 1 Redstone Lamp
 * 7 Cobblestone + 1 Redstone => 1 Dropper
 * 7 Cobblestone + 1 Redstone + 1 Bow => 1 Dispenser
 * 3 Stone + 2 Redstone Torch + 1 Redstone => 1 Redstone Repeater
 * 3 Wooden Planks + 4 Cobblestone + 1 Iron Ingot + 1 Redstone => 1 Piston

Trivia

 * Redstone could not be placed as wiring before Update 0.13.0.
 * At the time of Update 0.7.4, there was a splash message saying 'Redstone Free' because Redstone didn't exist in the game, other than the ore block. Mining the ore block at that time gave nothing, even with an Iron or Diamond Pickaxe.
 * The splash was removed in Update 0.8.0 when Redstone Ore could be mined and yielded.
 * Redstone is common once the player gets deep enough, although less common than Iron or Coal, but more than Lapis, Diamond, or Emerald.
 * The best place to find Redstone is the 16th layer from Bedrock.
 * Redstone is one of the most common components in the whole of Redstone mechanics.
 * Placed Redstone dust emits particles when powered.
 * This is one of four ore drops that are also mob drops, the other three being Iron Ingots, Coal and Gold Ingots.
 * Version Exclusive: Redstone wire is a + shape when placed down, instead of a dot.
 * When a player or mob steps on Redstone Ore it will start emitting particles. The amount of particles are increased when the amount of players and/or mobs standing on it increases.