Facts About Onyx

by Madhubanti Rudra

The myth that onyx originated from the body part of Venus, known for alluring beauty, justifies the stone’s fine texture and lustrous black colour. Originally onyx is chalcedony quartz, which falls in the microcrystalline category. It is formed in the gas cavities of lava.

Facts About Onyx

The Greek mythological literature is full of fascinating tales which even in this age of computer attracts the young and old alike. It is just mind boggling to revel through the pages of such legends and folklores, depicting the antics of cupids and demons, the accomplishments of the handsome Gods and goddesses and so on. One such interesting story explains the appearance of Onyx on this earth. This story is associated with the Greek icon, Venus. The legend goes like this- one day Venus was asleep when a mischievous cupid cut her fingernails and flew away leaving the finger clips scattered on the ground. Latter by the design of the god, these fingernails were transformed into stone that came to be known to the world as onyx. The name draws its origin from the word, onyx which in Greek language means fingernails. In latter course of history, this stone became famous in the hands of Romans, who crafted beautiful seals out of onyx.

The patterns were cut into negative reliefs which were famously called intaglios. The myth that for this gemstone originated from the body part of Venus, known for alluring beauty, justifies the stone’s fine texture and lustrous black color. Originally onyx is chalcedony quartz, which falls in the microcrystalline category. It is formed in the gas cavities of lava. This gemstone is basically a multilayered stone like agates and depending on the different colored layers, onyx can be divided into a few separate categories. Generally, when the stone has a black base and a white upper layer, it is called Onyx. Some onyx displays white and lighter reddish bands or ribbons of silicon di-oxide against a brown background, this variety is known as Sardonyx. When the onyx has a red base, it is known as Cornelian-onyx.

The black onyx, the most popular among all the varieties of onyx actually is grey chalcedony. The rich black color is the result of profuse chemical treatment. In order to bring out the black, the grey stone is saturated with a solution of cobalt chlorate and chlorammonium. Immersion of the stone for a prolonged period in a sugar solution and then heating in sulphuric acid to carbonize the sugar also leave the stone with a brilliant black color. This stone has a moderate hardness ranking 6.5 – 7 on the mhos scale. Its texture makes it ideal for carving and is choice for material lapidary artists.

Although onyx is found worldwide, the most important place of its mining is Brazil. Brazil supplies the best multi-colored untreated chalcedony. In addition to that it also occurs in India, California, U.S.A, Uruguay and Madagascar. Gray chalcedony is found in India and China. If international trends are something to go by, the emphasis on spiritual or mystical aspects of the gemstones have become the latest rage across the globe. The belief is getting increasing strong that chemical structure of the stones have the power to attract different energetic vibration, which can positively affect the mind and body of the wearer. This stone is believed to have many such mystic powers.

These beliefs about the mystic power of onyx vary from country to country. In Middle East, it is associated with the lives and ways of the sorcerers. In India it is believed to calm the ardors of love. The Romans associated it with courage and it is thought to be useful when one is defending him or herself against unfair criticism. In many countries black signifies regeneration and new beginning. So onyx is often prescribed as a healing agent for old emotional wounds and moving ahead by forgetting the past experiences of bad relationship. It is believed to fill the wearer with a gift of eloquence in the time of expressing his or her love for the new romantic interest in life. This is also believed to cure bad habits of the individuals. For absent minded people onyx prove to be very helpful in increasing the concentration level and calming down the mind in the chaotic situations of life. It is also regarded as a helpful tool for growing fingernails hair and skin. Onyx is mystical birth stone for the month of December. It is also the birth stone for the zodiac sign of Leo. It is the alternate birth stone for February and anniversary gemstone for 16th wedding anniversary.

The colored gemstones are in high demand in the international fashion circuit. The colorful jewelries made with multi-colored gemstones have become the hot favorite of the season. Amidst the cluster of bright-colored gems, onyx stands out with its black beauty. Black being one of the basic colors, this stone is hugely used along with light colored gems to bring out the contrasting effect. The richness of the black in onyx is best displayed when teamed with dollops of pearl. Apart from that, necklaces made with onyx beads, or onyx rings surrounded by dazzling diamonds, or simple drops of onyx in earrings are common to make rounds in the leading jewelry stores across the globe. In addition to its beauty, it is the affordable price of the stone, that made it popular among the jewelry lovers around the world.

Onyx rings

by Madhubanti Rudra

Onyx is the shear beauty of illustrious black, that from antiquity, men had been drawn to. A derivative from Greek word, onux, meaning fingernail, onyx displays fine nails-like white or reddish silicon dioxide bands, thus justifying its naming. A stone famous for its texture that is ideal for curving, creates astonishing impact when mounted on a ring.

The background as onyx as a gemstone

From time immemorial gems and jewelleries have been perceived as the powerful statement of position and vanity of the wearer. But when associated with mythical accolades, they attain a deep spiritual significance. The ancient Greeks, known for their astute socio-political foresights, rightly viewed the importance of myth and intelligently spread the legends surrounding divine figures, whose presence on the earth were symbolized by worldly materials found in the environment. In this process, many gemstones came to incorporate divine vibrations which were believed to offer protection and charm of luck to its wearer. Onyx is one of the classical gemstones, having a rich legendary background. Believed to be born out of scattered fingernails of Venus, onyx has multifaceted healing and mystic properties. A traditional healing agent for curing emotional wounds emanating from unsuccessful relations of the past, onyx also help new romantic relations to bloom in life by improving expressive abilities in the lovers. It also works wonderfully for those worried by a constant hair loss by helping to grow hairs on their heads. Onyx has a calming effect on the minds of wearer by sorting out the chaos of life.

Onyx ring: a statement of simplicity

But these are not all the reasons why one should invest on an onyx ring. It is the shear beauty of illustrious black, that from antiquity, men had been drawn to. A derivative from Greek word, onux, meaning fingernail, onyx displays fine nails-like white or reddish silicon dioxide bands, thus justifying its naming. A stone famous for its texture that is ideal for curving, creates astonishing impact when mounted on a ring. Again, design of jewellery, in all ages like the other forms of applied art, has been influenced by the discovery of new materials and more importantly, by the demands of fashion. The twenty first century fashion trends moves round the cluster of multi-coloured gemstones. When the eyes get tired among the crowds of bright reds, blues and greens, the timelessness of black in onyx brings freshness of relief. Then, black always spells class and sophistication. The chief philosophy behind contemporary jewellery being the wearablity, onyx jewelleries offer a typical multipurpose appeal. An onyx ring is in no way unsuitable to an office suit, when you wear this very piece with your black evening grown it becomes the ultimate show stopper. The affordability of this stone makes it even more attractive to the buyers.

Know about onyx

If you plan to buy some stone jewllery, it is mandatory that before parting with your cash know about the basic traits of the gemstone in question. Onyx, which is microcrystalline quartz, belongs to chalcedony family. It comes in brown, grey and black varieties. When the brown chalcedony is found with thin white or reddish brown silicon dioxide stripes or band, they are called sard-onyx. All t5hese varieties of onyx have moderate hardness. It record 7 in the mohs scale of hardness. As long as onyx is concerned, treatments within the limits of trade accepted norms are common practice. Dying, heating and chemical doctoring are the common methods applied to enhance colour in onyx. These treatments have a permanent effect on the stone which has nothing to do with the longivity of the stone. So, the pricing of the stone in no way gets affected by these treatments. Onyx is a layered stone like any other stone belonging to agate family. Please take notice of the fact that treated agates, which are much cheaper, are often sold in the name of black onyx. However, there is a simple way to distinguish onyx from agate. While onyx has straight bands of brown, white or black, agate has curved lines of many colours.

Buying onyx rings

The ring is regarded as the oldest form of ornament, used for the adornment of body. It also symbolized bonding; bonding between man and woman, bonding between two friends, bonding between a master and slave and so on. So, in course of history of jewellery there appeared many kinds of rings like wedding rings, engagement rings, even promise rings. Before buying an onyx ring, first think of the purpose for which you are going to buy one; whether you are going to wear it daily or occasionally-answer to all these questions will determine the design of the ring, the size of the stoner and the choice of the metal. For female rings smaller stones are recommended, while male rings look with a bigger size onyx. He fitting of the ring is very important for the comfort of the wearer. So it will be a wise decision to buy a good quality onyx first, and the get it mounted on a ring of the choice of your design and the size of your finger. Among all the jewlleries ring is most exposed to external abrasion. And since onyx with a moderate hardness is prone to chipping and scratching, special care should be taken at the time of making an onyx ring. The stone should be set inside the bezels or guarded by heavy prongs as much as possible. In order to receive the positive forces of the stone, set in a way that the stone stays in contact of your body and the light passes through the stone to your body. Next important thing is the choice of the metal. The use of white metal like white gold, platinum or even silver can produce a wonderful contrasting effect. Someone who likes an unusual like can go for an onyx ring crafted in mat finished yellow gold. The traditional yellow gold either does not look bad with onyx. After all, the black being a basic colour, onyx can be teamed with anything and everything.

Design options

Onyx, a very popular gemstone among the early Greeks and Romans, who used to craft beautiful seals out of this black beauty has become in course of fashion evolution, a staple stone in the hands of designers of abstractist schools of twenty first century. The imaginative designers combine it with pearls, mother of pearls and sometime with diamonds. Being cost effective, at the same time fashionable-looking the onyx jewelleries have become common items occupying the shelves of leading jewllery stores all round the world. If you want to make a simplistic, minimulistic yet fashionable style statement, an onyx ring is the right choice for you.

Onyx pendants buying guide

by Madhubanti Rudra

The wardrobes of today’s women consist of two types of jewelleries. The first category displays the dressy kinds of ornaments which are worn rarely on selective occasions. The second and more important category comprises of those kinds of jewelleries which you just put on everyday with everything. The selection of the jewelleries of the second type is tougher because, they have to appear classy and elegant, and at the same time, bear a universal appeal – looking not too gorgeous or too funky. When matching all these parameters at one go becomes a real brain-teaser, you may find a mind-blowing solution to your dilemma in wonderful onyx jewelleries.

Why looking for an onyx?

Beauty is the manifestation of the solace of your mind. Self-adornment with precious gems and jewels enhances this beauty. But there is a difference in looking beautiful and looking elegant. Elegance does not mean being noticed. Elegance in true sense of the term means being remembered. Looking elegant also means being confident and only the right kind of dressing, complete with right kinds of accessories can provide you with that level of confidence which is a prerequisite for a successful woman of twenty first century. The most important of all accessories is the right selection of jewelleries. The wardrobes of today’s women consist of two types of jewelleries.The first category displays the dressy kinds of ornaments which are worn rarely on selective occasions. The second and more important category comprises of those kinds of jewelleries which you just put on everyday with everything. The selection of the jewelleries of the second type is tougher because, they have to appear classy and elegant, and at the same time, bear a universal appeal – looking not too gorgeous or too funky. When matching all these parameters at one go becomes a real brain-teaser, you may find a mind-blowing solution to your dilemma in wonderful onyx jewelleries. The high polished opaque black in onyx has a vintage charm which reminds you of the days of Victorian aristocracy. But at the same time, this highly cost effective stone can become a good accompaniment to any of your dresses featuring any color or pattern.

Tryst with an onyx pendant

If you are a genuine perfectionist, you can never do without a pendant. A pendant is a very expressive medium to add a special feminine touch to your whole persona. It is said that there is no limit to a lady’s collection of pendants. The addition of an onyx pendant will make your collection even more enviable. An onyx pendant is a must-have for every wardrobe because no other gemstone can give you such an unlimited scope of mix and matching at such an affordable price.

A black onyx pendant makes a good accessory with almost all your dresses means; it will be subject to extensive use. Therefore before buying an onyx pendant, you should proceed carefully taking certain basic points in consideration.

First of all, it will be a grand idea to get your onyx pendant custom designed instead of buying a readymade one from any store. You can buy the parts of the pendant separately and then get it assembled. The process of assembling follows a basic kind of construction. Two main pieces are required to carry out the process- 1st is the basket like base of the pendant that has prongs to support the stone and connect it properly to the whatever metal has been used and 2nd is the stone itself. This process of assembling ensures some basic quality parameters. First of all, it ensures the accuracy of the setting of the stone. Then, the overall appropriateness of the piece is maintained by matching the right size of pendant base with the right size of the stone. Then you can select the chain with right thickness for the pendant. You can also decide whether the metal looks right to stone ratio.

The mounting should be very skillfully done. Make sure that the stone stands squarely and securely. For the setting, 18ct gold or platinum are highly recommended. However, the choice of metal should be influenced by whichever metal you use most in bangles, in earrings and other accessories.

Choosing between prongs or bezel [a thin frame of metal that holds the stone] is a matter of personal choice. However, a bezel set pendant is always a choice of class that looks good on everyone. A bezel set pendant looks best when accompanied by a gauge chain. However, a simple curb chain having interlocking oval links is not altogether a bad choice for carrying your onyx necklace. The length, quality and the material of the chain is very important, because the chain is supposed to bring out the beauty of the pendant and complement its brilliance. The basic rule for buying a chain is that, the metal of the chain, should match with the metal of the pendant.

The length is also very important because, the pendant should be displayed in a prominent position of your neck. According to the international standard, sixteen inches chain is perfect for a lady with average height. With this length the pendant will occupy the space near the hollow of your throat, and it is sure to steal the attention of everybody. However, if the neckline of your dress is not that good, you can make up this shortcoming, by choosing a longer chain. That way the pendant will be suspended in an attractive v-shape.

An Overview of the Onyx Stone

Before buying any stone jewellery, one should take notice of the basic traits of the stone. Among the 4 mighty Cs [cut, color, clarity, carat weight], dominating the price of the stone, some become more important than the others, in case of some particular stones .As for onyx, the color is the most important price determining factor. Onyx is basically a multilayered stone like agates and depending on the different colored layers, onyx can be divided into a few separate categories. In ancient days, all the categories of this stone were called by the same title as onyx. But over the ages, they came to be categorized according to their different colours and today, the black variety of this stone is labeled as onyx. While the brown variety with the white and light reddish stripes is known as sard-onyx, the stone with a red base goes by the name of cornelian-onyx. But till date, the black onyx is most popular among the designers and customers alike and naturally more expensive than the other varieties.

However, onyx is a medium soft variety of gemstone and if subject to knock and pressure, it develops cracks very easily. But this stone is ideal for making carvings and as such, it always inspired the artistic designers to make innovations and experimentations with this stone. So far as the cuttings are concerned, onyx is as fit for receiving the traditional cushion or cabochon cuts as the modern innovative cuts. In the hands of modern designers, onyx gets the shapes as varied as frog to a conventional cross.

The most interesting point about an onyx is its legendary and historical background that definitely counts on its value. This stone is also believed to be a traditional healer of emotional wounds, resulting from past relations. A birth stone for the zodiac sign of Leo, onyx makes a perfect anniversary gift for 16th wedding anniversary.

Finally, all being said, never get skeptical about buying an onyx pendant, because, your indulgence on an onyx pendant, will always highlight on the cerebral side of your persona. Sporty, elegant, corporate or casual- any look you want can be rightly accompanied by your onyx pendant.

Onyx bracelet buying guide

by Madhubanti Rudra

Catching up with the international fashion trend, onyx jewelleries have become quite popular nowadays. The prolific use of onyx in rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets are simply meant for those women who have minds of their own. Because onyx is among those few gemstones which are cost effective and aesthetically pleasing.

The changing moods of fashion

With the development of civilization history is being written a new every day. Everyday a new world is born, which is the messenger of fresh ideas of, a world that is the harbinger of new philosophy, a world, which is the mother of new innovations. All these conjure up silent revolutions that can even change the overall cultural topography of a nation affecting the psychological sides of its citizens. They are reflected through the transformed esthetic sensibilities of men. Fashion is an area where like any other forms of art, these transformations are most conspicuously felt. This is a world where the terms, experimentation and innovation are used in the highest pragmatic sense. Introduction and mingling of new kinds of metals and gem stones by the jewellery designers add altogether a new meaning to the philosophy of dressing and styling. The guiding force behind the twenty first century styling is the passion for right accessories and as such sporting right kinds of jewllery with right kinds of attire has become an important criteria for looking fashionable. Then, all the jewlleries and other accessories should be in right tune with each other. As such, side by side of colourful items the basic appeal of black and white seems to remain a constant factor with every wardrobe.

The arrival of onyx

Catching up with the international fashion trend, onyx jewelleries have become quite popular nowadays. The prolific use of onyx in rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets are simply meant for those women who have minds of their own. Because onyx is among those few gemstones which are cost effective and aesthetically pleasing. Then, because of the quality of colour of this gem, both vintage and contemporary designs look beautiful in onyx jewlleries. And most importantly, you can match your onyx jewellery with dresses of almost every colour. Hence, onyx jewelleries are just ideal for multi-cultural multi-faceted life style of today’s women, for whom jewelleries translate into wearability, not showing off with wealth.

Essentials of onyx

While the jewelleries are made to complement the physical beauty in a woman, some of them are meant to accentuate those interior elements, which are essentially feminine and bracelets are most expressive among them all. With every movement of your hands, the combined glitter of metal and gemstones in your bracelet can create quite a romantic impact. But the choice of an onyx bracelet definitely reflects the thoughtful side of your personality. It speaks of an intelligent mind that can rightly combine the aesthetics with affordability.

Before buying any stone jewellery, one should know a little bit about the grammar of the stone. One should check out for the rules of 4Cs that are applicable for all gemstones. These 4Cs are colour, cut, clarity, and carat weight and all these 4 factors together are responsible for creating the value of the stone.

As long as onyx is concerned, much of its value is attributed to its fine opaque colour. In the ancient age, when Greeks and Romans used to craft wonderful seals out of onyx, all the varieties of stones went under the same level as onyx regardless of their colour variations. But today the name onyx is reserved for the black variety of chalcedony quartz.

However, onyx being a multi-coloured liked agate is found with different coloured bases like brown or red. While white or light reddish ribbons or bands appear against a brown background, it is called sard-onyx. When the base displays a reddish tone, it is called cornelian-onyx. When onyx is used for creating a bracelet, it is important to mount it in a way that its lustrous black colour is displayed in its fullest effect. An ideal stone for curving, onyx is often given cushion and cabochon cuts to bring out the stark black impact.

However the stones that are found nature are in the form of grey chalcedony. They are given a through heating and chemical; treatment to attain such bright black colour. These treatments give the stone uniformity and permanence of colour. Synthetic agates are often confused as onyx. An easy way of distinguishing one from the other is by looking at the types of the ribbons on the stones. While onyx has straight bands of brown and white, agate has curved lines of many colours. So, for making an onyx bracelet, buy some loose onyx stones from a reliable jewellery shop and then set them on a piece according to the design of your choice.

Facts about bracelets

The most important criteria for choosing a bracelet are its fitting. A well-fitted is supposed to drape your wrist in a soft coil neither too snug to put pressure on your skin, nor too lose to be slit down on to your hands. For onyx bracelets, a simple display of the stones in a circular row will be the best design option. For making a major statement and as an accompaniment with evening wear choose a bracelet set with larger stones. For a casual look, small stones are appropriate. Then to make it more eye catching, team it with a gem stone of other light colour. Using white is a good idea for bringing out a superb contrasting effect. As such using mother of pearl with onyx has become a common practice. But a dash of diamond will be a signature of class and elegance. Next important aspect of choosing an onyx bracelet is looking carefully for the devices that help to wear it or take it off. Onyx is a gem stone that does not have a great hardness that easily get chipped and scratched. However a clasp or a spring ring can be good idea for holding an onyx bracelet, as these devices allow no obstruction at the time of putting on or taking off the bracelet.

Onyx Bracelet Care

The right kind of care and treatment is very important for onyx bracelets, because with every movement of your hands they are exposed to the risk of bumping on something or the other. So get the stones of your bracelet guarded by heavy prongs. It ensured that stones do not come out as a result of pressure or knocks. At a regular interval taking out the bracelets and washing the stones with soft brush and warm jewellery cleaners will give them extra shine and greater longivity.

Black Onyx

by Yuman Hussain

Most of the black onyx which is produced commercially is heated and permanently dyed to enhance the depth of the black color making it exotic.

Black Onyx- Facts and Buying guide

An anniversary gemstone for the 10th year of marriage black onyx looks elegant as a piece of jewelry. Onyx is one of the banded varieties of Chalcedony or Agate. It is known as ‘nail of a finger or claw’ in Greek mythology. The attributes ranges from translucent to opaque in some stones and strongly white or black banded. Coming in varieties of colors including brown, white, grey and black the one which looks most stunning is the black Onyx. It is basically Agate which is dyed to get the black color. Used traditionally for carving cameos, you will often find it as shiny background for any jewelry due to its fine texture and smoothness. Sardonyx is onyx with white bands or ribbons on black or brown background and is different from black colored onyx.

Black onyx is most commonly available stone world over. This stone is mined in many countries including Brazil, Mexico, England, Pakistan, Uruguay, India and California. A type of microcrystalline Silicon dioxide it is used extensively for carving and no doubt in great demand with lapidary artists due to its hardness which is 7 on Mohs scale. The specific gravity ranges from 2.65 to 2.66.The Refractive index or R.I is 1.543-1.552 to 1.545- 1.554.The optical sign is positive with uni axial optical character.

Right from the antiquity Onyx as a stone is dyed to improve the color and texture. Dyeing is a process to alter the color of a gem by dipping it in a solution to allow the dye penetrates through fractures present in the stone. Black onyx was first made some 4000 years back in Harappan civilization. In fact one can make black onyx by keeping banded agate into the solution of honey and sugar water over low heat for couple of days. The porous bands will absorb the liquid and when heated the sugar will caramelize producing deep brown color. If these stones are further put into Sulfuric acid the sugar will carbonize producing black color onyx. This method is in use since ages and said to produce permanent result. Most of the black onyx which is produced commercially is heated and permanently dyed to enhance the depth of the black color making it exotic. The natural onyx is extremely rare to be found. The dye used in the process is stable and one should be careful while cleaning to avoid removing or dulling this stone. Irradiation is another process which is used for producing different colors.

Black Onyx chip or get scratches easily if not handled carefully though it is easy to clean the stone with any commercial jewelry polish. After polish the piece should be washed with hot water and dried with soft cloth. A drop of Olive oil can produce beautiful shine to the stone. A plain water rinse can also clean the dirt but never soak the stone as it can fade the dye. Do not keep two stones together to avoiding touching. It is best to avoid excessive heat, light, heavy chemicals, steam cleaners or any heavy duty cleaning aids to prolong the durability of the stone.

It is widely believed that black onyx can change your erratic habits for good if used with faith. It is considered as one of the powerful protection stones as it absorbs negative energy relieving people of mental stress and promotes emotional well-being. Black onyx is associated with planet Saturn and it said to bring positive vibes for those with a strong Saturn in their birth charts. In Indian traditions it is said to help people forego their past relationships bringing the person in harmony with the present. It is common to find rosaries made of black onyx as it is believed to have medicinal benefits.

Black onyx is an affordable stone and available in various sizes. While buying, check for smooth marble like surface. The stone should not have any scratches or dents. Sometimes black onyx is confused with black jade, black Chalcedony, black diamond, glass or plastic. The black onyx jewelry looks really beautiful when put together with stones like pearls. If you want to look mystical then go for black onyx.