Onyx: properties of stone, its types and applications

Many people know onyx as a mystical stone from which, according to legend, the temple of Solomon itself was built. Since then, the history of the stone has managed to acquire many legends and superstitions: some believed that the stone was able to prolong life, others were afraid of its unusual color, and some even considered it to be a money stone. This article will discuss the properties of onyx, its types and fields of application of this mineral.

Onyx is considered one of the varieties of agate and is a parallel-banded chalcedony. Like many sedimentary rocks, onyx has a simple chemical formula - SiO2 (silicon dioxide).

Depending on the onyx species, the chemical formula, as well as the appearance of the mineral itself, can vary significantly. For example, the chemical formula of marble onyx looks like this - CaCO3. A distinctive feature of onyx from other chalcedony is a unique color, which can include stripes and circles simultaneously 5-7 colors: red, black, white, gray, even green and blue.

The origin of onyx can be easily explained with the help of modern science - this mineral is formed by the layering of carbonate minerals in hot springs. When this process proceeds too quickly, a new mineral is formed - travertine. During layering, the mineral can be impregnated with other rocks and elements, for example, oxide iron, from which the stone received a non-standard red color.

The first attempts to extract onyx were made back in the 5th century BC in Egypt and Babylon, a little later deposits appeared in Greece and Rome, where the mineral is mined to the current day.

Over the long history of the existence of this stone, many peoples began to ascribe to it more and more mystical meanings.

It is believed that the name of the stone came from the ancient Greek language - there the word "onychion" actually translated as "nail".

The history of the appearance of this stone is rooted in legends and myths. The ancient Greeks believed that this stone is the nail of the very goddess of beauty Aphrodite. Legends say that once the god of love Eros was amusing himself with his arrows near the sleeping Aphrodite. During one of these games, one of the arrows touched the goddess’s nail and cut off a piece of it, which fell from Olympus to the human world.

This stone was revered not only by the ancient Greeks, other peoples also developed many legends about the properties and origin of this extraordinary mineral. Below you can find some of them.

• If you are familiar with the stories of Cicero and Demosthenes, you probably heard about such a method of training diction and speech organs as the use of polished stones. Ancient Roman speakers placed several onyx stones in their mouths and trained for a long time before the performance. It was believed that in this way they trained the muscles of the mouth and tongue, and the diction itself became clear, loud and sonorous.
• In many European countries of the Middle Ages, onyx was used as vessels for the storage of perfumes, medicines and herbs. This stone has exceptional chemical neutrality and does not interact with common chemical irritants, unlike metals, which could oxidize, rust and spoil jewelry.
• Mesopotamia, Babylon and Assyria once used onyx as an ornamental mineral, from which interior elements, dishes, and some household items were made.
• In Native American culture, it was considered a magic sacred stone that fell to Earth at the very beginning of the creation of the world. Onyx items and jewelry were allowed to be worn only by clergymen and leaders. Also, Indian shamans and healers actively used it in their magical rituals and offerings.
• From ancient times, Asian peoples consider onyx a stone of great sadness. For quite some time, onyx has been used in their culture as a mineral for decorating the tombs of great emperors and noble persons. It is believed that the mineral provides the dead with eternal peace and tranquility.
• The description of the onyx was also found in the ancient Aztecs - there it was associated with rich spiritual and mystical energy. Entire buildings and temples were built here from the slabs and stones of onyx. Striped onyx consisted of tools for sacrifices and cult rites.
• The legends of the great and wise king Solomon tell of a huge temple made of pure onyx, in which there were neither windows, nor even large doors. Inside the temple, there was practically no light, because of which there was a constant twilight. Over time, this method began to be used in other temples and churches. Even today, in many modern churches, onyx transparent plates are used instead of glass in temples. It is believed that onyx gives the place of sanctity and peace, bringing it closer to the divine.
• In Arabic culture, this stone had its own terrifying significance. This people identified the stone with the eyes of a dead girl. Since there were significant deposits of onyx in the African territories (which was highly valued among sellers of minerals and jewelry), the Arabs preferred to sell the extracted stones as soon as possible and not be in their deposits for a long time.

The mention of this stone in religion is especially interesting - the Christian Bible says that this mineral was once located in Eden itself, and then was inlaid in the ring of the high priest Aaron along with 11 other sacred stones. Islam also attributes miraculous properties to this stone; it is not for nothing that a fragment of a huge onyx was placed at the base of the mosque in the city of Kaaba. In addition, onyx often adorned the rich embroidered robes of Jewish clergy.

Over a long history, many peoples have attributed onyx more than a hundred healing, magical and healing properties. Today, this mineral is actively used in lithotherapy sessions, in addition, it is a mandatory attribute of experienced magicians and mystics.

Even in ancient times, healers and shamans used onyx to treat many physical ailments and diseases. The most commonly used mineral was powdered or solid stone, which was applied to a specific part of the body. Onyx was especially popular in wartime - it was believed that water onyx tincture was able to disinfect and quickly heal wounds.

Today, onyx is most often worn precisely on problem areas.

• Onyx of light and white color is worn on the neck for diseases of the thyroid gland, respiratory tract or ordinary toothache.
• Red and firestone are worn closer to the heart in the form of brooches or pendants. It is believed that it helps with cardiovascular diseases.
• For diseases of the circulatory system, it is recommended to wear bracelets or pendants made of onyx in the places where the most significant blood vessels pass.
• With diseases and pathologies of the eyes, you can wear tiaras or earrings with onyx of blue or blue.
• In diseases of internal organs and skin diseases, experts in lithotherapy advise to massage onyx stones with damaged stones through rags and gauze.

Leading experts in lithotherapy also claim that the marble type onyx is able to have a rejuvenating effect on the body. That is why in ancient times it was used by monarchs in their decoration and jewelry - with the help of this mineral they sought to extend their existence to maintain power.

Onyxes of green color, judging by the judgments of experts, strengthen immunity and relieve chronic fatigue and vitamin deficiency.

Below will be considered all the healing properties of the stone, which they are endowed by experienced lithotherapists.

• Improving the general condition of the articulation apparatus. Toning of the organs of speech, improvement of diction and pronunciation.
• Weakening of nervous tension, improving the state of the nervous system. Onyx also has a beneficial effect on prolonged depressive disorders.
• General improvement in sleep, reduced risk of insomnia and nightmares. People who have onyx figures in their bedrooms often have pleasant and simple dreams that do not load their heads.
• Onyx is also able to treat impotence and serve as a talisman in the process of conception of a healthy child. Onyxes of red shades are usually used for this - it is believed that they have the strongest masculine beginning.
• Treatment of pathologies of the heart and circulatory system, reducing the risk of blood clots and the occurrence of strokes.
• In ancient times, onyx was actively used to treat headaches. Rich ladies especially wore tiaras and onyx hoops on their heads.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Minerals were often placed near the cradles of newborn babies.It was believed that stone prevents the formation of painful gases in the body and eliminates colic.
• During epidemics of plague and smallpox, plates with pebbles of onyx were placed near the patient's bed. It was believed that the healing energy of the stone slows down the course of the disease, stops inflammatory processes and relieves fever.
• Today, onyx jewelry should be given to people with drug and alcohol addiction. It is believed that the stone pacifies a person, dulling in him the desire to use the next dose.
• With problems of the respiratory system, this stone is also able to cope. At one time, onyx was worn by people with bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis.

In astrology and witchcraft, onyx is considered an extremely positive and kind stone, which is able to motivate a person to achieve large and small goals. The general energy of the stone relieves fatigue from a person, drives away laziness, helps to survive routine workdays.

The fact is that each of the varieties of onyx has its own specific abilities, however, each type of mineral has common magical properties.

• Onyx helps talented people realize their creative potential, strengthen social ties with potential employers. The stone helps to ensure that your training and self-development classes will always bring you pleasure and will never become exclusively work.
• Onyx is considered the stone of natural leaders and leaders. He gives words greater confidence and reasoning, makes judgments logical and convincing, helps to gain authority among subordinates.
• Before a difficult and impossible task, onyx will give you firm confidence in the result. It is also a stone of planners who prefer to think things over in advance and calculate the end of the process based on their expectations.
• Not for nothing that in Ancient Rome, onyx was used to develop the articulation apparatus. This endowed the mineral with magical properties that allowed the owners to work more effectively on the speech, to make it more clear and expressive.
• Like many other stones, onyx helps to bring things to the end. The structure of all stones lies in their completeness and strength, which was reflected in their extraordinary abilities.
• In addition to other magical abilities, onyx is used by many magicians and sorcerers as a powerful amulet. He is able to protect against accidents, heals curses, warns of perfect betrayal or betrayal.
• Onyx gives elderly and adult people wisdom, tolerance and tranquility. It balances their unstable health, promotes good mood and protects against feelings of loneliness. For young people, this is a stone of endurance, determination and courage, however, it also helps them to stop at the right time, to think about the correctness of the perfect things.

Depending on the variety, this mineral may have certain abilities.

• Minerals of cream, yellow and wheat color have a strong positive aura. They are advised to wear personalities with frequent mood swings, phobias and depression. For such purposes, figures or figurines made of solar mineral are best suited, then they will favorably influence not only the state of the owner, but also the place of his rest.

• Green and Emerald Onyxes are family stones that strengthen a young marriage and give patience and respect in an ongoing long marriage. This stone has the function of a guard against quarrels, betrayals and conflicts.

• White, colorless or milky onyx It seems to be an absolutely unremarkable mineral, but it carries enormous strength. It is a real life buoy for insecure people. It protects weak-minded people from enemies, protects against accidents, is able to console in difficult times.

• Onyx in Marble suitable for hyperactive individuals. It has a tonic and calming effect on them, puts thoughts in order and soothes tense muscles and nerves. This stone will bring special usefulness for choleric patients with their frequent mood swings.

• Onyxes of dark, tar and chestnut shades are the most powerful magic accessories for sorcerers and esoterics. They open a prophetic gift, protect from dark forces, are able to help a person cope with what fears and doubts.

So that the mineral can maximize its abilities, it should be worn either on the index finger or in the solar plexus zone. Onyx looks best with silver, and in energy it is combined with jasper, carnelian, agate and opal.

Today there are more than 10 varieties of onyx, which differ from each other in density, transparency, structure, color, stripes and chemical composition. Below you will find out what types of onyx are.

• Marble. The most popular type of mineral on the market. It differs from others in the presence of many horizontal stripes of white, red, orange and yellow throughout the texture of the stone.
• White onyx. A colorless or translucent mineral of gray, snow-white or milky color. On the surface or inside the mineral, characteristic orange or rusty marble cracks can be seen.
• Pink onyx. It has a unique peach or pink color. According to the mineral structure, stripes or circles are actively located in the form of color streaks or plaque of more or less saturated shades.
• Blue or blue onyx. To some extent, the unique appearance of onyx - it has an original deep texture of a heavenly, sea or ultramarine color.
• Red, brown or bloody mineral. Another name is sardonyx. It is considered a kind of carnelian. It has a bright red color with a large number of internal horizontal stripes.
• Honey Onyx. A decorative type of stone is wheat, yellow or golden with specific stains throughout the structure.
• Dark Onyx. It is considered the most expensive and rare variety. The structure is solid, in the mineral rarely there are stripes or circles mixed with other rocks and colors.

Onyx is currently actively used in jewelry. Precious jewelry and jewelry made of this mineral can be found in literally every jewelry store. For women, these are beads, pendants, hairpins, brooches, tiaras, bracelets, rings and earrings with opal. For men - rings, cufflinks, fasteners, belts with inlaid buckles, buttons, watches with onyx, beads.

Onyx is also widely used as a material for the manufacture of interior items.

• For example, eggs and pyramids from onyx are placed near the beds of sick people. It is believed that they favorably affect the course of the disease and accelerate recovery.
• Fishes, cats, frogs and other figures made of stone symbolize wealth and prosperity in the house. It is believed that they attract new ideas and financial stability.
• Elements of utensils, sets and onyx kitchen utensils. It is believed that such items can enhance the taste of food, make it more saturated and enjoyable.

Astrology has endowed Onyx with many magical abilities, which manifest themselves in different ways with different signs of the zodiac.

• Water signs. Onyx cancers will help to reveal their creative potential, achieve success in business - onyxes of blue and sea tones are suitable here. The stone will help scorpions not to succumb to sadness and negative emotions, and also protect this sign from accidents and tragic incidents. It is better for fish not to wear this stone; it will make them pinched and too sluggish.
• Air signs. Gemini are born leaders, but their innate, volatile nature and mood swings can greatly interfere with this. The mineral will help this sign to prioritize correctly, and also stabilizes the character, giving it integrity and tranquility. Here, stones of variegated and extraordinary shades are suitable. For Aquarius, onyx will play the role of a focus in life goals. It will help them focus on immediate tasks and not be distracted from their implementation (green stones are suitable for this). Onyx will give Libra greater confidence in its decisions, protect them from rash acts (here we need onyxes of heavenly or blue colors).
• Fire signs. Lions - true leaders and strong-willed personalities - dark or cobalt onyx is most suitable. Lions have incredibly strong potential and are fully capable of mastering the power of stone. Thanks to him, they will become more decisive, strong-willed and convincing, they will easily be able to win favor and trust. Aries mineral will help to control yourself even in stressful situations. For Sagittarius, onyx will be a wonderful talisman, since these talented people are often in the company of envious and enemies.
• Earth signs. A stone can liberate the bodies and help you gain confidence in your own strengths (onyxes of white, red and pink color are more suitable here). The virgins will receive from onyx what they so badly need - exceptionalism and charisma, which will allow them to climb the career ladder. For Capricorn, the mineral will be a useful regular assistant in planning daily activities.

The first attempts to fake onyx were made back in the Middle Ages, when the stone began to be actively used in the creation of jewelry and accessories. Today, the technology of creating artificial minerals has reached the point where it will be difficult for an inexperienced buyer to determine the authenticity of the stone. The instructions below will help you figure out if the real stone is in front of you or not.

• Color structure. The color of natural onyx, regardless of variety, is always harmonious and consistent. No sharp overflows or transitions from color to color are observed here, there is no opalescence and small internal cracks. Be aware that a contrasting transition and too bright colors indicate a rough imitation of onyx.
• Some fakes can only be detected over time. Glass stones painted in onyx lose their color over time and begin to cloud after a long exposure to the sun or in the aquatic environment. These phenomena should not be confused with simply contaminated natural stone, which you have not cleaned for a long time.
• Texture. If the craft you bought is made of filled or stained glass, just look at the internal texture of the mineral through a magnifying glass. In a glass fake you will probably notice a certain amount of oxygen bubbles.
• Density. Natural mineral has incredible strength and density in comparison with other minerals. On artificial onyx stones, you can easily leave scratches, roughness and even dents. You can scratch a natural stone only using special tools.
• Poor thermal conductivity. Due to its exceptional density, onyx is extremely difficult to heat - which is why it is not scary to wear it in arid and hot weather, take it to the sauna or to the beach. Glass and plastic fakes can become deformed when heated - they lose their shape when exposed to significant temperatures.
• Price. Despite the fact that onyx refers exclusively to semiprecious minerals, jewelry made of natural stone will cost no less than $ 15 (beads, bracelets, pendants, rings). Individual interior items made from pure onyx will cost up to $ 100, depending on shape, weight and size. If you are going to buy a rich beautiful necklace with stones for only 5-10 dollars, most likely you are buying a regular imitation.
• Weight. It is not difficult to determine the natural structure of the stone if you have something to compare the weight of jewelry or crafts with onyx. As a rule, products from a natural mineral are much heavier than polymer or glass.

You can’t call onyx a finicky mineral in terms of care, however, the following list of rules will help you maintain the appearance and properties of this mineral for a longer period.

• Always store the mineral only in a special box or pouch. Do not allow the mineral to come into contact with hard surfaces (including other stones). Also try not to drop the stone - it will not collapse, but cracks may form inside. The place to store the mineral should be selected dry and ventilated.
• To clean onyx, there may be little ordinary water, so experts recommend using special solutions to clean chalcedony and wipe the stone with delicate rags with polish.
• So that the stone is not so quickly soiled, you can use special dirt-repellent sprayers. This applies to jewelry and accessories that you carry every day with you.
• No soap and aggressive detergents - this will not affect the structure of the stone, but it can destroy the external smooth coating, because of which the mineral will lose its natural luster.

About what properties onyx has, see the next video.