Onyx Gemstone

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 are very useful to the people. Onyx, gemstone is a banded variety of chalcedony. The range of colours varies in this stone. It is a rich looking, affordable gemstone.

Medical Benefits of onyx
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.

Mystical Benefits of Onyx
Onyx is said to bring spiritual inspiration. It is a great assistance in holding emotions and passions under control. It can be mentioned that Onyx fortifies self-confidence and responsibility and also sharpens the senses.

Onyx encourages a healthy egotism Because of this quality people find it helpful in relieving stress and for emotional stability. Its one of the first i.e. root chakra grounding stones. It also encourages connection to material goals and to determination in realizing them.

In crystal literature black onyx is strongly associated to Saturn, and it is said that this stone works most positively for those with a strong Saturn in their natal charts. Although this may include people born under the sign of Capricorn, it`s not limited to them. It has been said that in India it was commonly worn to cool the ardors of love. Thus it may be very helpful for people who can`t let go of past relationships. The same can be true of any belief, which no longer serves one and they can be as hard to let go of as past relationships.

Other Benefits of Onyx
Black Onyx is used in jewellery designing. Its shining colour has made it valuable to all jewellery lovers. Onyx marble is often used as a fire place. Other uses of this stone include wall cladding, light duty home floors, sinks base, and tables.