Stone Pyramids and Obelisks: History, Materials and Care

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Pyramids and obelisks in quartz, selenite or other stone: where these shapes come from, what science says about “pyramid power”, how to care for them and how to choose one.

Key points

Shapes	Square-based pyramid, tapered four-sided obelisk
Origin of the shapes	Ancient Egypt (tombs, monuments)
Common materials	Quartz, selenite, labradorite, obsidian, jasper
Common sizes	3 to 15 cm
Effect of the shapes	No proven effect; decorative objects
Care	Depends on the hardness of the material

Two shapes from Egypt

The pyramid and the obelisk were part of the landscape of ancient Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza was built around 2600 BCE and originally stood about 146 metres tall. The obelisk is a four-sided stone pillar that tapers towards the top and ends in a small pyramid; the Egyptians raised them in front of temples. The Luxor Obelisk, given to France by Egypt, has stood in the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 25 October 1836: it is about 23 metres tall.

The stone pyramids and obelisks sold today are miniature reproductions, carved from a variety of materials. This page is part of the crystal shapes guide.

What does science say about “pyramid power”?

It is sometimes claimed that a pyramid concentrates a special energy, keeps food fresh or sharpens razor blades. The idea goes back to the 1930s, when a French shopkeeper interested in radiesthesia (dowsing), Antoine Bovis, suggested that small pyramid models could preserve food. In 1949, the Czechoslovak inventor Karel Drbal filed a patent application for a “pharaoh's device” supposed to keep razor blades sharp. The book Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain (1970) spread the idea in English under the name “pyramid power”.

Controlled tests have not confirmed these claims. In 1973, an experiment found that pyramid-shaped containers did not keep flowers and meat any better than other shapes, and that blunt blades were not resharpened; a 2005 TV myth-busting programme reached the same conclusion. No solid study shows that a pyramid shape has a measurable physical effect on a room, a person or an object.

A stone pyramid is therefore a very attractive decorative object, valued for its aesthetic and symbolic qualities rather than for any physical effect.

Traditional symbolism

The pyramid suggests stability, elevation (a broad base and a single summit) and endurance. The obelisk suggests verticality, the link between earth and sky and, in Egyptian mythology, sometimes a ray of sunlight. These meanings are cultural images. In the language of crystal shops, it is also said that a pyramid “draws the attention”, which is true in a very simple sense: a clean-lined object placed in front of you catches the eye and can serve as a point of focus for a moment of calm.

Materials and their hardness

Material	Hardness (Mohs)	Care
Rock crystal, amethyst	7	Lukewarm water, mild soap, clean cloth
Jasper, agate	6.5 to 7	Lukewarm water, soft cloth
Labradorite	6 to 6.5	Slightly damp cloth; avoid knocks
Obsidian	5 to 5.5	Avoid knocks; sharp edges if the piece breaks
Fluorite	4	Avoid hot water and thermal shocks
Selenite	2	Dry or barely damp cloth; scratches under a fingernail

A selenite pyramid has a remarkable pearly sheen but wears down very quickly: it is best kept in places that are not handled much.

How to use them

As decoration: on a shelf, a desk or an entrance table.
As a focus for attention: look at it for a few minutes while breathing calmly.
In a crystal grid: at the centre of a composition of tumbled stones (see the tutorial).
As a gift: a small 5 cm pyramid is a simple, sturdy gift if it is made of quartz or jasper.

Recognising the material and avoiding pitfalls

Glass: some perfectly transparent “crystal” pyramids are moulded glass. Glass is lighter than quartz and may show small bubbles.
Resin: light, warm to the touch, scratches under a fingernail.
Reconstituted stone: stone powder bound with resin, often too uniform. This is not a fault if it is clearly labelled.
Dyes: a “blue” or “neon pink” quartz indicates a treatment.
Apex: on a carved pyramid, look at the sharpness of the edges and the symmetry of the faces.

More details on our page real or fake stone.

How to choose

A small pyramid of 4 to 6 cm in quartz or jasper is an excellent choice for beginners: sturdy, easy to clean and pleasant to hold. A piece over 10 cm becomes a decorative object in its own right, to be placed on a flat, stable surface. Our pieces are in the points, spheres and figurines section.