Black Onyx

Some information on Onyx. The necklace above is paired with sterling silver beads and findings. Most of my jewelry is made with semiprecious gemstones and sterling silver. Some is made with gold filled beads and findings, but that is a whole other post explaining the qualities of gold-filled. My motto is always affordable quality and as close to perfection as I can get. You wouldn't believe how many pieces I have taken apart because one stone is wrong.

"History/Background
The name "onyx" comes from the Greek for "fingernail," referring to the translucence of the white-colored layer of the multi-layered stone. According to myth, Cupid trimmed the nails of the sleeping Venus. The Fates turned those clippings into stone to prevent even a part of Venus from dying. The Romans were expert 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.

Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Black has been associated with regeneration and new beginnings. Black onyx is thought by some to have protective qualities, making it advantageous to carry when one is traveling. It is said to be useful in fighting basic fears and in helping to create the opportunity to move beyond bad relationships--and to heal old emotional wounds. The Romans associated it with courage and it is thought to be useful when one is defending him/herself against unfair criticism.

Scientific Description
Onyx is a form of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline quartz. It is formed in the gas cavities of lava. Its multi-layering 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 Sard-onyx. And carnelian-onyx has a red base.Much of what is referred to as "black onyx" is gray chalcedony that has been chemically treated to turn it into 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.
Mineral Information
Microcrystalline quartz, chalcedony group
Chemical Composition
SiO2
Color
Black, usually dyed these days
Hardness
6.5-7
Specific Gravity
2.58-2.64
Refractive Index
1.530-1.539"