Onyx is a rich-looking, affordable gemstone which is often mixed with pearls to create elegant jewellery. Onyx is striped, semiprecious variety of the silica mineral agate with white and black, brown or red alternating bands.
Onyx is the birthstone of Leo. The timeframe starts from July 23 to Aug 22. Onyx is the anniversary gemstone for the 7th year of marriage and the Black Onyx is the anniversary gemstone for the 10th year of marriage.
Origin of Onyx
Onyx was cut and carved as a gemstone by the Ancient Greeks and Romans in cameos. The term Onyx is derived from the Greek word for claw or fingernail because these veins resemble the colours of a fingernail. Onyx deposits are found in countries all over the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Botswana, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uruguay and the USA.
Appearance of Onyx
Onyx is a variety of the microcrystalline quartz, called chalcedony. The layers in these stones range from translucent to opaque for sardonyx. Onyx stones usually contain flat-banded, white and brownish-red bands. Onyx has a wax type to dull lustre and is typically opaque.
Colour of Onyx
Onyx has a black base and white upper layer, but may contain bands of various other colours between these layers. A lot of onyx gemstones are completely black but they may be white or grey, spreading to other colours.
Varieties of Onyx
The varieties of onyx include carnelian onyx, with white and red bands, and sardonyx, with white and brown bands. Sardonyx at one time was more precious than gold, silver, or sapphire. Sardonyx is always widely used in cameos and intaglios.
Benefits of Onyx
Onyx is referred as a grounding stone due to its ability to encourage the connection with material goals and helps an individual to realize it. Onyx is used as a heart, kidney, nerve, capillary, hair, eye and nail strengtheners. Onyx is said to help one sleep. This gemstone helps to eliminate apathy, stress and neurological disorders. This gemstone eliminates negative thinking; it is also believed to sharpen the wits of the wearer. Black onyx is believed to be one of the most powerful protection stones. The onyx generally does this by absorbing and transforming negative energy. Onyxes can help to bring into contact with the actual realities, and assist the people in gradually releasing all that is not in harmony with the present lives. It encourages sense of responsibility and self confidence. It boosts a good ego and desire to get engaged in a dispute in case it is important.
