Learn About Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
Onyx
- Silicate
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Rectangle
Pear
Cushion
Rectangle
Pear
CushionOverview
The onyx has been a highly revered gemstone for hundreds of years. An onyx typically has a black base and a white upper layer, however the parallel bands present in between come in many colour variations, including brown, white and grey.
In the jewellery industry, solid or dark coloured onyx stones with light banding are quite sought after. Black onyx, the most popular variety, is usually a grey chalcedony that is treated to transform its hue. An original black onyx is very rarely found.
1. Key Origin
- The onyx is mined in many countries across the world, but U.S. and Brazil are the dominant producers.
- Other notable sources include Madagascar, Yemen, Pakistan and Uruguay.
2. Associations
- The onyx is believed to provide protection and was often worn as a talisman.
- It is considered to promote emotional well-being by absorbing negative energies and relieving mental stress.
- Persians and Indians believed that wearing an onyx would protect them from evil.
Properties
Rated 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
This gemstone is moderately hard and is suitable for most types of jewellery. Mohs scale of mineral hardness has given it a rating of 6.5 to 7, which makes it relatively durable. It is also resilient enough to deal with jewellery cuts that are normally utilized on harder gemstones, such as topaz or diamonds. Onyx has the malleability required to be cut into almost any shape. Its smooth, wax-like structure makes it apt for a variety of designs.
02Treatment
Since ancient times, onyx has been dyed to improve the depth of colour, and especially to achieve the much-desired black hue. The treatment usually involves soaking chalcedony in a sugar solution, which penetrates the stone through the fractures present on the surface. It is then treated with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, which helps carbonize the sugar deposited in the top layers of the stone.
In addition to dyeing, onyx is also heat treated to enhance colour or eliminate undesirable hues. These techniques are used extensively even today and are known to produce permanent results.
Know About Other Gems
Onyx
"Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!”
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
- Rectangle
Pear
Cushion
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colours
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colours
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every colour but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colours, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colourless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
The 4C’s
This alluring gemstone has been popular for several centuries, especially among the Greeks and Romans, and continues to fascinate even today. The value of an onyx is influenced by the factors mentioned below:
- Colour
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Colour
- An onyx is either slightly translucent or fully opaque. In its most common form, this gemstone has a black base with a white upper layer.
- Some of its variants contain bands of different hues in between these two basic layers.
- Onyx is also found in single colours with no colour banding, with black being the most coveted and rare form of this gemstone.
02Clarity
- This impressive gem is usually free from inclusions.
- A good quality onyx stone should ideally have a well-polished and reflective surface.
- Cracks or scratches on its surface can considerably bring down the price and quality.
03Cuts
- Onyx can be cut into all standard shapes, such as rounds, squares, oval, trillion and marquise.
- Due to the presence of gorgeous bands of colours, an onyx is frequently carved into cameos, which beautifully enhances this distinctive feature of the stone.
- The onyx is also faceted and shaped into glossy cabochons.
Quality & Grading
Based on its various properties, Black Onyx can be distinguished into the following category of quality:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best (AAA) |  Black | Opaque | Low | Top 33% |
Prong-Set Rectangular Black Onyx Cocktail Ring€1165 |
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Care Instructions
Though a fairly durable gemstone, proper care is required to keep the beauty of the onyx intact and to also ensure longevity. Here are a few tips that will help maintain your onyx jewellery.
