Onyx

Cryptocystaline quartz chalcedony is the name for onyx that is banded. The colors in the bands can be white or any other hue but will never have blue, blacks or purples in it. Most of the onyx viewed have colors in the tan, brown and white family. There is a special type of onyx that is called Sardonyx where the bands are in shades of red. The forms of most onyx are natural but it is mostly made when the agate is stained, some common uses are for onyx to be made into cameos, intagilos andbeads.

Although is not used properly the use of the onyx name can be seen in labels on other banded lapidaries, as in the calcite that is from Pakistan and Mexico. These lapidaries are much softer, polished and carved when seen against a true onyx. Onyx is avalilable all around the world, but is mostly found in Brazil, India, and Madagascar it is also very much the most caved being marketed as true onyx. Black onxy is heated to make the color appear stronger and more vibrant. The hardness value is seven for the onyx.

If you are a Leo the onyx is said to be your lucky charm, born in Feburary it is the birthstone, and for the month December it is the mystical stone. Onyx is helpful for letting go of saddness and woe and in getting rid of negative emotions, it is also what you get on your tenth wedding anniversary as your gemstone. It is the gem to help to rid oneself of unhappy or difficult relationships and keep away any negaive feelings. The color black is said to have the absence of light, and black gemstones have the energy to protect and make a person look invisible due to the lack of light.