Onyx

About Onyx

A variety of chalcedony with parallel banding. Black onyx is the most popular but most commercial black onyx is dyed. Ancient Romans carved seal stones from it because it does not stick to wax. In Renaissance jewelry, it was carved into cameos with white layers as relief against black backgrounds. The word onyx means claw or fingernail in Greek - legend says Cupid cut Venuss nails and they became onyx. It has been used for intaglio carving for thousands of years. India and Brazil are major producers. It is commonly used in mens jewelry and Art Deco designs. Natural black onyx is actually quite rare.