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Locations: Brazil, India, Madagascar, Uruguay  Colors Found: Black & white  Family:  Chalcedony  Hardness:  6.50  Refractive Index:  1.54  Relative Density:  2.59 - 2.61

Commonly known as “Black Magic”, this gem’s name comes from the Greek word “Onyx”, which means fingernail or claw. Legend says that one day while Venus was sleeping 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 a gem, which later became known as Onyx.

Onyx is a Chalcedony Quartz with a fine texture and parallel bands of alternate colors.



In Greek times, almost all colors of Chalcedony Quartz from fingernail white to dark brown and black were called Onyx. Later, the Romans narrowed the term to refer to black and dark brown colors only. 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, green, brown and banded colors. Onyx which is reddish brown and white is known as Sardonyx.

With its consecutive layers of different colors, the ancient Romans believed Onyx to be an excellent cameo (a gem carved in relief) gemstone. Sardonyx was highly valued in Rome, especially for seals, because it was said to never stick to the wax. Roman General Publius Cornelius Scipio was known for wearing lots of Sardonyx.

Related to its mythological origin, Onyx is believed by some to encourage the growth of fingernails, hair and skin.

Ideally suited to men, Onyx is often associated with instincts and intuition. It is believed to give one the power to deeply analyze a situation before reacting to it, as well as better business acumen and management skills. Crystal healers also believe that it restores confidence in life and love, thereby increasing your happiness.



Quartz gemstones are commonly separated into two groups based on the size of their individual crystals. The macrocrystalline Quartz (large crystal) group includes many popular gemstones such as Amethyst, Ametrine, Citrine and Green Amethyst (Prasiolite). Cryptocrystalline Quartz includes species whose individual crystals are too small to be easily distinguished. Apart from being a variety within the group, Chalcedony is also a catch all term to describe cryptocrystalline Quartz and includes many gems that have been coveted since antiquity.