A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in  More »

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in both the Old and New Worlds, onyx was used by the Classical Greeks and Romans to carve cameos and other personal jewelry, and by the tribes of ancient Mexico to make masks and sacred ritual objects. The gem is mentioned in The Old Testament Book of Exodus as figuring prominently in the breastplate of the High Priest. Its lustrous, rich polished surface-- usually of deepest ebony black, rich green, or very pure white-- makes it highly desirable stone for modern jewelry. The chief virtue of onyx as an amulet is that it seems to attract and absorb negative humors from the body of the wearer, causing relief from bath physical pain and mental anxiety. Black onyx is especially thought to have unique properties, as black suggests both the presence of all colors and the absence of light. For that reason, it serves as a buffer from pain, a defensive wall against evil and illness. - (FJ.4946)Medium: Onyx   « Less

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in  More »

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in both the Old and New Worlds, onyx was used by the Classical Greeks and Romans to carve cameos and other personal jewelry, and by the tribes of ancient Mexico to make masks and sacred ritual objects. The gem is mentioned in The Old Testament Book of Exodus as figuring prominently in the breastplate of the High Priest. Its lustrous, rich polished surface-- usually of deepest ebony black, rich green, or very pure white-- makes it highly desirable stone for modern jewelry. The chief virtue of onyx as an amulet is that it seems to attract and absorb negative humors from the body of the wearer, causing relief from bath physical pain and mental anxiety. Black onyx is especially thought to have unique properties, as black suggests both the presence of all colors and the absence of light. For that reason, it serves as a buffer from pain, a defensive wall against evil and illness. - (FJ.4947)Medium: Onyx   « Less

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in  More »

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in both the Old and New Worlds, onyx was used by the Classical Greeks and Romans to carve cameos and other personal jewelry, and by the tribes of ancient Mexico to make masks and sacred ritual objects. The gem is mentioned in The Old Testament Book of Exodus as figuring prominently in the breastplate of the High Priest. Its lustrous, rich polished surface-- usually of deepest ebony black, rich green, or very pure white-- makes it highly desirable stone for modern jewelry. The chief virtue of onyx as an amulet is that it seems to attract and absorb negative humors from the body of the wearer, causing relief from bath physical pain and mental anxiety. Black onyx is especially thought to have unique properties, as black suggests both the presence of all colors and the absence of light. For that reason, it serves as a buffer from pain, a defensive wall against evil and illness. - (FJ.4948)Medium: Onyx   « Less

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in  More »

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in both the Old and New Worlds, onyx was used by the Classical Greeks and Romans to carve cameos and other personal jewelry, and by the tribes of ancient Mexico to make masks and sacred ritual objects. The gem is mentioned in The Old Testament Book of Exodus as figuring prominently in the breastplate of the High Priest. Its lustrous, rich polished surface-- usually of deepest ebony black, rich green, or very pure white-- makes it highly desirable stone for modern jewelry. The chief virtue of onyx as an amulet is that it seems to attract and absorb negative humors from the body of the wearer, causing relief from bath physical pain and mental anxiety. Black onyx is especially thought to have unique properties, as black suggests both the presence of all colors and the absence of light. For that reason, it serves as a buffer from pain, a defensive wall against evil and illness. - (FJ.4949)Medium: Onyx   « Less

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in  More »

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in both the Old and New Worlds, onyx was used by the Classical Greeks and Romans to carve cameos and other personal jewelry, and by the tribes of ancient Mexico to make masks and sacred ritual objects. The gem is mentioned in The Old Testament Book of Exodus as figuring prominently in the breastplate of the High Priest. Its lustrous, rich polished surface-- usually of deepest ebony black, rich green, or very pure white-- makes it highly desirable stone for modern jewelry. The chief virtue of onyx as an amulet is that it seems to attract and absorb negative humors from the body of the wearer, causing relief from bath physical pain and mental anxiety. Black onyx is especially thought to have unique properties, as black suggests both the presence of all colors and the absence of light. For that reason, it serves as a buffer from pain, a defensive wall against evil and illness. - (FJ.4950)Medium: Onyx   « Less

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in  More »

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in both the Old and New Worlds, onyx was used by the Classical Greeks and Romans to carve cameos and other personal jewelry, and by the tribes of ancient Mexico to make masks and sacred ritual objects. The gem is mentioned in The Old Testament Book of Exodus as figuring prominently in the breastplate of the High Priest. Its lustrous, rich polished surface-- usually of deepest ebony black, rich green, or very pure white-- makes it highly desirable stone for modern jewelry. The chief virtue of onyx as an amulet is that it seems to attract and absorb negative humors from the body of the wearer, causing relief from bath physical pain and mental anxiety. Black onyx is especially thought to have unique properties, as black suggests both the presence of all colors and the absence of light. For that reason, it serves as a buffer from pain, a defensive wall against evil and illness. - (FJ.4951)Medium: Onyx   « Less

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in  More »

A gem of contrasts, onyx is a chalcedonic quartz frequently layered in different shades of contrasting color, most commonly the polar opposites of black and white. Found in both the Old and New Worlds, onyx was used by the Classical Greeks and Romans to carve cameos and other personal jewelry, and by the tribes of ancient Mexico to make masks and sacred ritual objects. The gem is mentioned in The Old Testament Book of Exodus as figuring prominently in the breastplate of the High Priest. Its lustrous, rich polished surface-- usually of deepest ebony black, rich green, or very pure white-- makes it highly desirable stone for modern jewelry. The chief virtue of onyx as an amulet is that it seems to attract and absorb negative humors from the body of the wearer, causing relief from bath physical pain and mental anxiety. Black onyx is especially thought to have unique properties, as black suggests both the presence of all colors and the absence of light. For that reason, it serves as a buffer from pain, a defensive wall against evil and illness. - (FJ.4952)Medium: Onyx   « Less

Onyx is a translucent stone with pleasing and highly varied color and markings. It is closely related to marble. Both onyx and marble are composed of calcium carbonate, and  More »

Onyx is a translucent stone with pleasing and highly varied color and markings. It is closely related to marble. Both onyx and marble are composed of calcium carbonate, and both owe their origin to having been laid down in water. The name onyx came from the Greek word "onux" meaning "fingernail." The legend is Cupid cut the fingernails of Venus while she was sleeping. He left the clippings on the sand and they turned to stone. During Greek times, all colors of chalcedony were called onyx. It was highly prized in Rome for royal seals because it would not stick to the wax. Mexico's ancient Aztecs, Toltecs and Mayans assigned a holy character to onyx, possibly because it is visibly infused with light, and so had its place in their sun-worshipping religious beliefs. Onyx was called Tecali in Meshica, the Aztec tongue, literally meaning stone of the gods. Although onyx comes in a variety of colors, today it is most closely associated with the rich black hue that remains the most popular. - (FJ.4953)Origin: Brazil Collection: Jewelry Style: Beaded Necklace Medium: Onyx   « Less

Onyx is a translucent stone with pleasing and highly varied color and markings. It is closely related to marble. Both onyx and marble are composed of calcium carbonate, and  More »

Onyx is a translucent stone with pleasing and highly varied color and markings. It is closely related to marble. Both onyx and marble are composed of calcium carbonate, and both owe their origin to having been laid down in water. The name onyx came from the Greek word "onux" meaning "fingernail." The legend is Cupid cut the fingernails of Venus while she was sleeping. He left the clippings on the sand and they turned to stone. During Greek times, all colors of chalcedony were called onyx. It was highly prized in Rome for royal seals because it would not stick to the wax. Mexico's ancient Aztecs, Toltecs and Mayans assigned a holy character to onyx, possibly because it is visibly infused with light, and so had its place in their sun-worshipping religious beliefs. Onyx was called Tecali in Meshica, the Aztec tongue, literally meaning stone of the gods. Although onyx comes in a variety of colors, today it is most closely associated with the rich black hue that remains the most popular. - (FJ.4955)Origin: Brazil Collection: Jewelry Style: Beaded Necklace Medium: Onyx   « Less

Radiating a colorful fire from deep within, the opal has been prized since antiquity. Within its depths one sees the rich variety of colors for which other gems are famed:  More »

Radiating a colorful fire from deep within, the opal has been prized since antiquity. Within its depths one sees the rich variety of colors for which other gems are famed: the purple of amethyst, the red of ruby, the sea green of emerald, as well as gold and silver. The matrix for these sparks ranges in hue from milky white, to bright blue, to black. Mines in Hungary have produced fine opals since the Middle Ages, but the best modern source for the gem is considered to be Australia. The name of the gem is said to derive from the word Ophthalmius, pertaining to the eye, and the stone is valued for its ability to avert evil. In the East, opals are much sought after as amulets to protect the wearer from disease. The stone is also said to improve the eyesight. Any person gazing upon this brilliant gem will be rewarded with beauty. - (FJ.2715)Medium: Opal   « Less