Onyx

The deep black gemstone

overview

Naming : The name onyx originally comes from the Greek word ónychos, which can be translated as fingernail. For a long time, onyx was used as a term for all agates, as their colored banding is reminiscent of the appearance of fingernails. Another explanation for the name is that the upper, white layer of the onyx layered stone is slightly transparent - like fingernails. Since the 18th century, the solid black chalcedony has also been called onyx.
Mineral group: This onyx is the black variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline gemstone from the quartz group.
Colour: Onyx refers to both a chalcedony in a velvety matte black and an agate that is composed of two or more layers of different colours.
Cut : Onyx is often used as a gemstone for rings, pendants on necklaces or earrings, and it looks beautiful both as a cabochon and in cut form.
Special feature : The multi-coloured onyx is very suitable for the art of stone cutting, as it can be used to create representations of light motifs on a dark background.

Color

The deep black color makes the onyx a very special gemstone.

carat

The weight of a gemstone plays a decisive role in its value. The weight is given in carats (ct). One carat weighs approximately 0.2 grams.

purity

Onyx gemstones usually do not have any inclusions.

cut

Onyx is often cut into a cabochon or faceted shape.

The Lagenstein Onyx

Such an onyx is a special form of agate, a chalcedony with concentric stripes in different colors. In its classic form, this onyx consists of a black lower layer and a white upper layer. In ancient Egypt, onyx was popular for making bowls decorated with reliefs, as was the case in ancient Rome. Even today, cameos (high reliefs) and intaglios (seal images) are still made from it. Special forms of onyx layered stone are the brown-white sard onyx and the red-white carnelian onyx (named after the cornelian cherry). There are also onyxes with more than two layers.
Just like the single-colored onyx, the onyx layered stone is also rare in nature. It can be artificially produced by deliberately coloring the different layers of an agate gemstone.

Special Onyx

The Gemma Augustea is a cut, two-layered onyx from Roman antiquity. Today, the Gemma Augustea can be viewed in the Art History Museum in Vienna.

Special occasions

birthstone

Onyx is considered the birthstone for February and August.

occurrence of onyx

The most important deposits of black onyx are in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, India and Madagascar. Onyx layered stone is mainly found in Uruguay, Brazil, the USA and Madagascar.

jewelry with onyx

If you are interested in real onyx jewelry, please contact RENÉSIM. Whether you want an onyx pendant, onyx earrings or an onyx ring, we can certainly help you and make you a unique piece of onyx jewelry. Simply contact us using the contact form or by phone.