Minecraft wiki entry for Block_of_Gold, associated text: Blocks of gold can be used to "power" a beacon. The beacon can be powered by a 3×3 square of gold blocks underneath it, and can optionally also include a 5×5, 7×7 and 9×9 layer in the shape of a pyramid under the original layer to increase the effects from the beacon. The layers do not have to be entirely gold blocks, as they may also contain blocks of iron, blocks of emerald, blocks of netherite, and blocks of diamond.