|
|
Onyx Facts
Home » Jewelry » Onyx » Onyx FactsOnyx, which is reddish brown and white, is known as sardonyx. Sardonyx was highly valued in Rome, especially for seals, because it was said to never stick to the wax.
Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. The colors of its bands are white and black.
Sardonyx is a variant, where the colored band are sard, rather than black. It is usually cut as a cabochon, or into beads, and is also used for intaglios and cameos, where the bands make the image contrast with the ground. Some onyx is natural but much is produced by the staining of agate.
Onyx is the mystical birthstone for the month of December. It is also the birthstone for the Zodiac sign of Leo. Onyx is also given on the 7th and 10th wedding anniversary.
As a healing stone, onyx is used to strengthen and cure diseases of the heart and kidneys, to reduce stress and neurological disorders, remove apathy, to improve eyesight and to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Onyx powers include eliminating negative thoughts, sharpening the wits and promoting spiritual inspiration.
Most Black Onyx that is commercially available today is color enhanced, heated and dyed, to increase its depth of color.
Related Onyx Articles
- Onyx Overview
- Onyx Facts
- Greek Mythology And The Onyx
- Where Is Onyx Mined?
- Is The Black Onyx Really Black?
- What Mystic Powers Does The Onyx Have?
- Why Buy A Black Onyx?