Gemstones Glossary

More gem stone info and resources


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Gems

Agate(s)
Amazonite
Amber
Amethyst
Ammolite
Ammonite
Aquamarine
Aventurine
Azurite-Malachite
Beryl
Bloodstone
Blue Opal
Bone
Boulder Opal
Carnelian
Chalcedony
Charoite
Chinese Writing Stone
Chrysocolla
Chrysoprase
Citrine
Dinosaur Bone
Drusy
Emerald
Garnet
Gaspeite
Gibeon Meteorite
Hematite
Jade
Jasper
Kono Dolomite
Labradorite
Lapis Lazuli
Larimar
Malachite
Meteorite
Montana Agate
Moonstone
Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper
Onyx
Opal
Opalite
Orthoceras
Palm Wood
Pearl
Pectolite
Peridot
Peruvian Opal
Petoskey Stone
Picasso Marble
Poppy Jasper
Quantum Quattro
Rhodochrosite
Ruby in Zoisite
Rutilated Quartz
Sapphire
Spectrolite
Stone Canyon Jasper
Sugilite
Tanzanite
Tiffany Stone
Tiger's Eye
Topaz
Tourmaline
Turquoise
Variscite
 

 

 

Onyx (Chalcedony, Quartz) Facts, Information and Description

Onyx is the Mystical birthstone for the month of December. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Leo. See the birthstone list for other references to onyx. Onyx is also given on the 7th and 10th wedding anniversary.

Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is mined in  Brazil, India,  California and Uruguay. It has a fine texture and black color; however some onyx also displays white bands or ribbons against a black or brown background and this variety is known as sardonyx. 

The name comes from the Greek word onyx which means nail of a finger or claw. Legend says that one day while Venus was sleeping Eros/Cupid cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground.  Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as onyx.

Originally, almost all colors of chalcedony from white to dark brown and black were called onyx.  Today when we think of onyx we often preface the word with black to distinguish it from other varieties of onyx that come in white, reddish brown, brown and banded. A variety of onyx that is reddish brown with white and lighter reddish bands is known as sardonyx.  A 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness., onyx is a very good stone for use in carving.

Most Black Onyx that is commercially available today is color enhanced (heated and dyed) to increase it's depth of color.

 

onyx stones

see other December birthstones

 

Onyx Jewelry and Cabochons

pendantDesigner jewelry made with onyx.  A selection of free form cabochons and rough available for custom jewelry design.

 

Folklore, Legend, and Healing Properties:

Thought to increase regeneration, happiness, intuition, instincts.  Also thought to decrease sexual desire and helps to change bad habits.

 

more black gemstones

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Sources of Information:
The Curious Lore of Precious Stones
by G.F. Kunz. J.D. Lippincott. 1913
The Mineral Gallery http://mineral.galleries.com/
The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom http://www.minerals.net/
International Colored Gemstone Association http://gemstone.org/
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals Alfed A. Knopf 1979
Stones - Their Collection, Identification and Uses by R. V. Dietrich. Geoscience Press. 1980
Guide to Gems and Precious Stones Simon & Schuster 1986
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
Gems and Jewelry by Joel E. Arem. Geoscience Press. 1992
Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore by Bruce G. Knuth. Jeweler's Press 1999
Healing Crystals by Cassandra Eason. Vega 2003