Onyx: significance, properties and virtues

Although it sometimes had a bad reputation in the past, due to its deep black color, onyx is a natural stone full of charm that enhances costume jewelry. Often found in jewelry, it is equally appreciated by men and women. Considered a stone of protection, it is also highly prized in lithotherapy.
Make your own beautiful DIY jewelry with our black onyx beads and jewelry components. Need some creative ideas? Get inspired by our natural stone jewelry tutorials!

What does onyx mean?

The name of this natural stone, a member of the gemstone family (formerly known as semi-precious stone), comes from the Greek "onyx", meaning "nail" or "claw".

The origin of onyx

This gemstone has been known since ancient times.
Indians and Persians believed onyx to be a good-luck charm, protecting them from the evil eye. The Chinese, on the other hand, considered it to be a good-luck charm.

In the Middle Ages, onyx stone had a bad reputation. Its black color was associated with anger, hatred and evil spells.

During the Victorian era, it was de rigueur to respect mourning, such as that of Queen Victoria, as other colors were forbidden.

Since time immemorial, the color of onyx has inspired many civilizations to make a wide range of objects:

• plates, jars and bowls in Egypt, as well as vases, the best-known of which are Ptolemy's cup and L'Onyx-kanne.
• jewelry, such as cameos (the most famous are the Sainte-Chapelle cameo and the Gonzague cameo), seals and signet rings engraved with various symbols by the Romans. Archaeologists have discovered earring pearls in ancient Egyptian tombs. Many French kings appreciated it: Louis XV had an onyx, gold and carnelian seal decorated with the motto "l'amour les assemble" and the portrait of Madame de Pompadour. Gabrielle d'Estrée, favorite of Henri IV, wore an onyx pendant bearing the king's effigy.

What are the properties of onyx?

Onyx is a member of the Chalcedony family. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale and a density of around 2.65.

What color is onyx stone?

You might think that black onyx is simply an opaque black stone, but not at all. What makes this gemstone unique are the white or contrastingly colored bands (green, red, brown or white) that run through it.
Because of its similar color, onyx is sometimes confused with black obsidian.

Onyx stone can be found in other shades such as brown, green, red or white.

Where is onyx found?

The main onyx deposits are in Brazil, Mexico, the United States, India, Uruguay and Madagascar.

What are the virtues of black onyx?

In lithotherapy, onyx is a positive stone. It boosts self-esteem, self-confidence and self-control. It is said to facilitate stability and strengthening. Considered an energy shield, it is said to absorb and repel negative energies, helping to protect against harmful influences.
It is said to be perfect for successful meditation.

Black onyx is linked to the root chakra. It promotes a sense of security, calm and stability.

Please note: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. The effects of stones have not been scientifically proven. Natural stones are no substitute for medical expertise or treatment.

How do I recharge black onyx?

Like all natural stones, onyx will lose energy over time. That's why it's important to clean and recharge it regularly.
To purify it, soak your gemstone in a container of salt water for a few hours, avoiding tap water. Don't forget to dry it with a soft cloth afterwards.
To recharge, place your stone in direct sunlight. For greater effectiveness, place it on a quartz cluster.

How to wear black onyx

The black color of onyx has the advantage of going equally well with gold and silver tones. For the gold team, choose gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry primers to make your own DIY costume jewelry. For the silver team, choose jewelry components in 925 Silver or Stainless Steel.

Which stone to combine with onyx? In lithotherapy, onyx is considered a rather neutral stone, which pairs well with carnelian, amethyst and moonstone. To boost the root chakra, we recommend wearing it with jasper, bronzite, hematite, lava stone, pyrite or garnet. With obsidian or black tourmaline, its protective power is reinforced.
On the other hand, onyx should not be worn with stones that are too powerful and energizing, such as turquoise, malachite, peridot or tiger's eye.