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Onyx
Onyx is the Mystical birthstone for the
month of December. It is also the birthstone for the Zodiac sign of Leo. Onyx is also given on the 7th
and 10th wedding anniversary.
Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is
mined in Brazil, India, California and
Uruguay. It has a fine texture and black
colour; however some onyx also displays
white bands or ribbons against a black
or brown background and this variety is
known as sardonyx.
Originally, almost all colours of
chalcedony from white to dark brown and
black were called onyx. Today when
we think of onyx we often preface the
word with black to distinguish it from
other varieties of onyx that come in
white, reddish brown, brown and banded.
A variety of onyx that is reddish brown
with white and lighter reddish bands is
known as sardonyx. A 6.5 on the
Mohs scale of hardness. Onyx is a
very good stone for use in carving.
Most Black Onyx that is commercially
available today is colour enhanced
(heated and dyed) to increase it's depth
of colour.
Legend and Healing Properties
The name comes from the Greek word
onyx which means nail of a finger or
claw. Legend says that one day
while Venus was sleeping Eros/Cupid cut
her fingernails and left the clippings
scattered on the ground. Because
no part of a heavenly body can die, the
gods turned them into stone which later
became known as onyx.
Thought to increase regeneration,
happiness, intuition, instincts.
Also thought to decrease sexual desire
and helps to change bad habits.
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