Onyx, Black Meaning and Properties
What is the History of Black Onyx?
The name "onyx" comes from the Greek word for "fingernail," referring to the translucence of the white-colored layer of this multi-layered stone. According to myth, Cupid trimmed the nails of the sleeping goddess Venus. The Fates turned those clippings into stone to prevent even a part of Venus from dying.
The Romans were experts at glyptography (the carving of layered stones to reveal different colors) and crafted beautiful seals from onyx (white layer over black base) and sardonyx (white layer over reddish-brown base). The patterns were cut in negative relief. Engravings with a negative picture are called intaglios and those with raised image are cameos. In the Middle East, onyx was associated with sorcerers.
While ruby is the birthstone for July, black onyx is an alternative stone for the month and is associated with the Babylonian Zodiac sign of Capricorn.
Discover the beauty of black onyx and wearability of black onyx jewelry! Create this DIY necklace with a black onyx cabochon—perfect for gifting or selling.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Black Onyx?
Black has been associated with regeneration and new beginnings, so some of its properties are said to include boosting change and increasing mental flexibility. Black onyx is also thought by some to have protective qualities, making it advantageous to carry when traveling.
Black onyx’s metaphysical properties are said to be useful in fighting basic fears and helping to move beyond bad relationships—as well as to heal old emotional wounds. The Romans associated onyx with courage and it is thought to be useful when people are defending themselves against unfair criticism.
What is Black Onyx Made From?
Onyx is a form of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline quartz formed in the gas cavities of lava. Its multi-layered structure is similar to that of agates. When the stone has a black base and a white upper layer, it's called onyx. (Black onyx is uniformly black chalcedony.) When the base is brown, it is called sardonyx while carnelian-onyx has a red base.
Much of what is referred to as "black onyx" is gray chalcedony that has been chemically treated to be a rich black. The gray stone can be saturated with a solution of cobalt chlorate and chlorammonium, or it can be immersed for a prolonged period in a sugar solution and then heated in sulphuric acid to carbonize the sugar.
Brazil supplies the best multicolored raw material, but onyx is found worldwide. Gray chalcedony is found in India and China.
- Mineral Information: Microcrystalline quartz, chalcedony group
- Chemical Composition: SiO2
- Color: Black, usually dyed these days
- Hardness: 6-1/2 to 7 (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 2.58 - 2.64
- Refractive Index: 1.530 - 1.539
How Do You Clean Black Onyx?
Black onyx jewelry can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid exposure to household chemicals and extreme heat. Because of the hardness and durability of onyx, it should be kept away from other gemstones and jewelry to prevent scratching softer materials.
To learn more about black onyx and other gemstones, order your copy of Walter Schumann's revised and expanded edition of Gemstones of the World.
Designing with Black Onyx
Black onyx is neutral, making it a great design element to combine with many different colored stones, other gemstone beads and all metal tones. Its deep, dark, lustrous surface can play a striking contrast to the warm-colored gemstones like garnet, carnelian and red coral. Or combine it with any stone containing a black matrix such as lapis lazuli, rhodonite and turquoise to heighten these stones' vein detailing.
A Few Design Inspirations to Get You Started
Shop for Black Onyx
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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