Onyx is a type of natural material such as quartz. This is a hard stone, on the surface and in the thickness of which there are strips of different colors and sizes. They come in shades of green (the most common color of the mineral), black, brown and white. White onyx is considered the most valuable stone. It is rarely found in nature and is unique among many semi-precious stones. It is also worth paying attention to the number and size of stripes in its thickness and on the surface. The abundance and refinement of lines indicate a high degree of layering. This is the main criterion for determining the price of onyx: the more elements, the higher it is.
Implications for world religions and civilizations
The stone is mentioned several times in the Bible. The onyx signet (along with eleven other gems) adorned the finger of the high priest Aaron. The presence of the mineral can also be seen in the description of Eden.
Onyx also occupies a special place in Islam; in the city of Kaaba it is even inserted into the wall of the main mosque.
In India, onyx is considered a stone of love and harmony. It brings comfort to the house, promotes mutual understanding and bringing people closer together.
White onyx has not only positive properties. According to the inhabitants of Ancient China, it symbolized troubles and misfortunes. In Mesopotamia, tombs were decorated with this stone because it was considered a symbol of sadness. American Indians took long routes around onyx to avoid encountering the “tears of the mountain spirit.”
Place of Birth
Onyx is one of the minerals that is widespread throughout the globe. The rarest and most exotic specimens are found in the following deposits:
- Brazil.
- Uruguay.
- Arabian Peninsula.
- India.
Turkmenistan is famous for its cave deposits, where nature has created entire galleries from onyx, decorated with stalagmites and stalactites.
Industrial onyx raw materials are available:
- Pakistan.
- Türkiye.
- Afghanistan.
- Iran.
- Mexico.
- Egypt.
Russia is also rich in onyx deposits. The mineral is mined in Kolyma, Chukotka and Primorye.
Characteristics of the stone
The progenitor of onyx is quartz, which in nature is represented by a white stone. It has the same white thin stripes, barely distinguishable in shades. The presence of impurities is accompanied by patterns that are more distinguishable in color. The more such inclusions, the brighter the stone looks. This rock has a very high density, so onyx is considered one of the hardest stones. It does not absorb water and is resistant to various temperatures, but is easy to process. These qualities make the gem the most sought after and popular in terms of the production of products for various purposes.
Origin story
Translated from Greek, onyx means “nail”. It is believed that the name of the stone is associated with an ancient Greek legend: Eros once cut off Aphrodite’s nails while she was sleeping, and then scattered them across their land. It was them that the gods turned into stone, which later became known as onyx.
Onyx gained particular popularity during the reign of Queen Victoria, who mourned her husband Albert for about 40 years. All this time, black color played a dominant role at court, and the stone perfectly met this requirement.
In nature, onyx is formed in thermal springs under a number of conditions: reaching a certain acidity and water temperature, reducing pressure, concentration of carbonate anhydride, etc. When formed, the stone fills tectonic voids and cracks, and also forms stalagmites in caves. Today, the world's reserves of marble onyx are extremely small.
Magic properties
A semi-precious stone has many magical properties, which in their power are equal to real jewelry (help a person find happiness and well-being). White onyx stone helps:
- open the internal reserves of the human body;
- develop intuition and the gift of prediction;
- protect from the evil eye;
- find inner harmony;
- protect from unwanted contacts (prevent meeting people whom the owner of the stone does not like);
- protect yourself from accidents and sudden death;
- establish yourself in your own strengths and earn the respect of others;
- become an excellent speaker, gain the gift of persuasion for a large audience of listeners;
- get rid of fears and doubts.
Treatment
White onyx will help heal many diseases of different origins, ranging from accidental wounds to chronic diseases. The mineral is used in the following cases:
- Any wound will heal faster if you sprinkle it with crushed onyx. This recommendation applies to the treatment of teeth and gums.
- Helps fight viruses, reduces fever, strengthens the immune system.
- Earrings with onyx help normalize hearing and also improve vision.
- Relieves obesity (for this you need to drink water infused with crushed onyx).
- Treats a diseased liver.
- Improves male potency.
- Treats diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Marble onyx is very useful for people with choleric type temperament. It helps tidy up the nervous system and reduce excessive activity.
- Eliminates headaches, migraines, dizziness, cures brain diseases.
- Helps relieve pain from rheumatism or arthritis (it is necessary to apply the stone to sore spots).
- During the massage, it is recommended to press the stone on the painful points, and the pain will subside.
- Eliminates stress, depression, fights insomnia.
- Elevates mood, calms the nervous system.
Color varieties
Onyx is often confused with Agate. However, this mineral differs from agate in its clear lines, pronounced shine, and noticeable heaviness. Onyxes are classified by alternating stripes of one color or another:
- Carnelian White and red striped gem.
Carnelian - Sardonyx. This nugget has several color options. There are red-brown, orange-red or white-brown sardonyx.
- Arabian onyx. The stone is a rich black color, on which barely noticeable stripes of white are visible.
- Tricolor onyx. Mineral of brown, white and blue colors.
- Chalcedony. Striped white and gray gem.
- Marble onyx. An unusual nugget that combines stripes of all shades of green.
- Onyx agate. Gray stone with fragments of other colors.
- Ordinary onyx. There are minerals of pink, blue or yellow colors with stripes of different shades of the main color.
In addition to striped gems, rare single-color expensive specimens are also mined:
- black;
- white;
- green;
- red.
Among single-color stones, brown, blue, greenish or pink gems are often found. White onyx is often not endowed with a pure shade. These are usually pale tones of pink or aquamarine.
Life
White onyx is widely used in industry. This beautiful semi-precious stone brings aesthetic pleasure, helps create comfort, makes life easier, and lifts your spirits. It is used:
- In construction. Due to the original properties of the stone, it is used as a building material. It is durable, does not allow heat to pass through, and does not absorb water. Most often, onyx is used for finishing pools and baths.
- In the interior. Interior items made from this gem are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and practicality. As an inlay, the stone is suitable for wall panels, mosaics, lamps, and fireplace stands. Tabletops have particular advantages. They not only look amazing, but also perform invaluable functions. Such a surface cannot be damaged by a knife (due to its hardness), does not heat up due to temperature, and does not absorb moisture. Marble onyx is most often used for production.
- For making various items. Onyx is used to make candlesticks, ashtrays, photo frames, boxes, flowerpots, dishes, and many souvenirs.
- In furniture inlay. Such furniture will look luxurious. By making it to order, you can achieve 100% uniqueness and sophistication.
Areas of use
Striped crystal is used in many ways to beautify life. The strength of the stone allows you to make almost any jewelry from it: pendants, rings, bracelets, earrings.
Gem decor elements look extravagant and perfectly complement any interior.
They also make products of larger formats: figurines, boxes, candlesticks, writing sets, ashtrays, table clocks, lamps, vases.
Exotic lovers will love onyx glasses. Such glasses will not be transparent like glass glasses, which means you will not be able to enjoy the way the reflections of light play in the wine. But your friends will definitely remember this visit.
Jewelry industry
Onyx jewelry is especially popular. It is a semi-precious stone, so it is most often set in silver or cupronickel. These metals almost double the healing and magical properties of the gem. The most optimal shape would be a circle or oval; the surface of the stone should be smooth and shiny.
The white stone is the most expensive compared to other multi-colored onyxes. That is why it is often framed in precious metals such as white, yellow, red gold and platinum.
How to spot a fake
Onyx is accessible and inexpensive, but fakes still exist. Most often they imitate a black gem. You can recognize the linden mineral as follows:
- A natural nugget cannot be scratched by a blade.
- The natural mineral is endowed with harmonious colors without sharp transitions. Unnatural brightness of color also signals a fake.
- The linden gem will be suspiciously cheap.
- Natural stone is always cool and almost does not absorb the heat of the hands.
Usually the imitation is the cheapest agate, painted with all kinds of chemical dyes.
Rings
An onyx ring will allow its owner to become stronger and more self-confident. It will prevent external manipulation by unscrupulous people. The person will become more decisive in making decisions. Such decoration will develop intuition and make it possible to foresee events. It should be worn on the middle finger of the main working hand (usually the right hand, but if the person is left-handed, the onyx ring should be worn on the left hand).
Signets
These decorations are mostly favored by the stronger sex, although they are sometimes found on women as well. In these products, the mineral can be either the main stone or its setting. Wearing such a ring will give the owner perseverance, courage, determination, and perseverance in work. A signet with onyx will speed up your career advancement and gain the respect of high-ranking officials. Most suitable for students, students, representatives of professions related to manual work.
Earrings
This decoration has not only an aesthetic and magical, but also a healing effect. Constant wearing improves vision significantly. Hearing becomes much better, diseases of the ear, nose and throat disappear. Earrings with onyx will add attractiveness to their owner and will allow you to quickly attract members of the opposite sex. Onyx earrings open up your creativity and fill you with inspiration.
Price
Since onyx is a semi-precious stone, its weight is measured in grams rather than carats. Ornamental materials in construction are calculated in kilograms. Natural agate facing material costs more than 100 rubles, marble will cost 50 or more. The price of onyx in jewelry depends on the cost of the frame material. For example:
- earrings made of yellow or white metal – from 300 rubles;
- cupronickel pendant – from 400 rubles;
- bracelet – from 400 to 700 rubles;
- beads - from 500 to 2500 rubles;
- silver ring – from 1000 to 5000 rubles;
- gold earrings – from 10,000 rubles;
- gold pendant – from 4000 rubles.
Astrological characteristics of onyx
The magical properties of onyx have their own characteristics relative to different zodiac signs. It will help make life much easier for some representatives, while others will have to give it up.
- Aries. The stone will help in making the right decisions, achieving goals, and the right vector of direction. People will be able to properly distribute their energy, become calmer and more tolerant of everyone around them.
- Calf. Onyx will help people of the earth element to overcome uncertainty, laziness and passivity. They will become less conservative, will strive for spiritual development, and will be able to overcome bad habits.
- Twins. Representatives of the air element should give preference to onyx of bright colors, since a white stone can suppress their individuality. People of this sign strive for variety; it is difficult for them to concentrate on one aspect. The mineral can become an obstacle to their natural desires.
- Cancer. Representatives of the water element will prefer onyx in shades of sea water or black; they are not recommended to wear a white stone.
- A lion. Fiery Leo is recommended to wear a white stone in order to become less hot-tempered and impulsive. But for solving career issues and achieving results, black is more suitable.
- Virgo. A favorable effect will be the influence of onyx on practical and pragmatic Virgos. Representatives of the earth element are too focused on completing assigned tasks and devote little time to communication and their own presentation. The white gem will help them become brighter and more active.
- Scales. The white mineral is not very suitable for representatives of the air sign. Libras are quite active and sociable, this is their personality. This decoration can deprive them of their originality, so you should give preference to the blue color.
- Scorpion. The water element of this sign dictates such character traits as internal discipline and in-depth analysis of current events. A white stone will be useless for representatives of the sign; they should prefer black stones.
- Sagittarius. Fiery Sagittarius has enough energy, it just needs to be directed in the right direction. Onyx will help you cope with this task, teach you how to correctly distribute forces and achieve your goal without loss.
- Capricorn. A gemstone can be of great benefit to a representative of an earth sign. It will provide them with activity, destroy excessive conservatism, help cope with passivity, and make them sociable and sociable.
- Aquarius. Representatives of the air element should opt for green onyx. The white stone will interfere with the originality and originality characteristic of Aquarius.
- Fish. Pisces are advised to refrain from purchasing onyx as it will not bring any benefit in improving their life. The danger is that the stone can enhance the asceticism characteristic of representatives of this zodiac sign.
White onyx will be an excellent assistant in the life of a person who strives for new achievements in any aspect of life. He will cure illnesses and suggest the right decision, protect you from the evil eye and reduce the time for meeting your soulmate. But he helps only decent people who give kindness, happiness and positive energy to everyone around them.
How to wear it correctly
Traditionally, we first choose a favorable day to buy a talisman. Sardonyx and carnelian, prefer their days to purchase. It is recommended to buy Sardonyx on the 24th lunar day, and wear it from the 10th of the next cycle.
Carnelian is demanding on the 3rd day of purchase and the 17th lunar day to start using. As for the rest of the onyxes, such stones are brought home on the 5th lunar day, starting to be used on the 19th lunar day.
When buying an amulet, you should try to establish primary energy contact. Hold the gem in your hands for a few minutes. Pleasant sensations will signal friendliness, and discomfort will signal an unwanted union. Remember that it is not you who choose onyx, but it you.
It is believed that it is useful to wear onyx constantly so that magical abilities manifest themselves continuously. However, there is one “highlight” here - with prolonged contact, the stone, which does not tolerate deception, can push the owner to impure desires. For example, improve your financial situation by any means. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the change in the person’s behavior - if the owner of the stone has become tough, it is necessary to remove the jewelry for a while.
Onyx is considered a cool mineral, so it is best to wear jewelry in late fall, winter, or early spring. The stone has the most powerful effect on middle-aged and older people.
Onyx gives a person positive energy, but is capable of accumulating negativity. Therefore, the stone must be energetically cleansed periodically. Cold running water works best for this. Afterwards the mineral is charged under the Moon.
