ONYX.
The Strong One
Onyx is the stone of personal strength. Onyx roots you in the present, offering you grounded energy and oodles of willpower. If you need to demonstrate some self-control, i.e., not slapping your boss, or putting down the refined sugar, then Onyx is your perfect emotional support crystal. It even helps you remain strong even when the universe is imparting lessons we would rather not have to undergo. Upcoming awkward social situation? Pop an Onyx in your pocket or bra to give you the self-confidence of a skilled warrior as you head into the social warzone. A talisman of protection against the negative forces in the world, it also protects you from the overwhelming despair that grief can sometimes cause.
Onyx is a variety of Chalcedony (or Agate), a cryptocrystalline Quartz. To be called Onyx, it should only have parallel black-and-white bands. Where the bands are red, brown, black, and white, this is called Sardonyx. Onyx is incorrectly used as an umbrella term for other banded stones, including Calcite, Aragonite, Marble, and other Agates.
Onyx was prized by the ancient Egyptians and Chalcedony (Agate) has been dyed black since Roman times to create black Onyx. It can be challenging to differentiate between dyed black and natural black Onyx. It is used to make carved jewellery, including intaglios and cameos as well as more considerable treasures ranging from decorative bowls to full doors.
Onyx brooch, depicting Dante Alighieri, an Italian philosopher, poet, and writer, (c.a. 1865, Rome)
© The Trustees of the British Museum
In general, Onyx can be found worldwide, but much of the current decorative material is from Afghanistan, Brazil, China, India, Madagascar, Russia, the US and some spots in Europe.
Buyer’s Guide to Onyx
Private Buyers
Look for colour and contrast. A true Onyx will need parallel bands of black and white. If you buy just a black piece of Onyx, it could be dyed, so you would need to ask the vendor questions about this.
More advanced collectors could look for specimens from the European deposits in Scotland, Romania, and Germany or pieces from the less commercial deposits in the US and Brazil.
Black Onyx pocket stone. It is very hard to tell if this is natural or if this crystal is dyed Agate.
Retail Buyers
I can’t really give a retail buyer’s guide to Onyx, having never stocked it commercially. However, I have stocked Sardonyx from China, and while it was a little pricey if you get good pieces, you can do well with it. It is a stone with high colour contrast, so its patterns can be fabulous. Look for good, intense colours, good patterns, and a high-shine finish on the polishing. We stocked large tumbles, almost palm stone size, and they all sold well in-store. I think these would do well on social media Live Sales, and in-person shopping. Be careful when selling via a web shop, that if the person is not receiving the piece in the picture, that this is clearly stated to avoid complaints.
Quick Guide | Onyx
Zodiac: Onyx is associated with the zodiac signs Leo and Capricorn.
Ruling Planet: The ruling planet for Onyx is Saturn.
Chakra: Onyx is associated with the Root (Muladhara) Chakra.
Element: Onyx is aligned with the element of Earth.
Crystal Charging: Onyx can be charged under the light of a Full Moon. You can also discharge energy build up by placing the stone on the ground.
Crystal Elixir: Onyx is water-safe, so it can be used to make crystal elixir.
Crystal Care: Onyx can be cleaned with warm, soapy water or a soft cloth.
The chemical formula for Onyx: SiO₂