Black has been associated with regeneration and also new beginnings. Black onyx is thought by some to have protective qualities, making it advantageous to carry when you are traveling. The Romans had associated it with courage and it is thought to be useful when you are defending yourself against unfair criticism. It is said to be useful in fighting basic fears and in helping to create an opportunity to move beyond bad relationships--and to heal old emotional wounds.

The name "onyx" comes from the Greek for "fingernail," referring to the translucence of the white-colored layer of the multi-layered stone. According to myth, Cupid trimmed the nails of the sleeping Venus. The Fates turned those clippings into stone to prevent even a part of Venus from dying. (Ain't Love Grand!) In the Middle East, onyx was associated with sorcerers.

Onyx is a form of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline quartz. It is formed in the gas cavities of lava. Its multi-layering is similar to that of agates. When the stone has a black base and a white upper layer, it's called onyx. (Black onyx is uniformly black chalcedony). When the base is brown, it is called Sard-onyx.

Origins

While Brazil supplies the best multi-colored raw material that can be mined, onyx is found in many countries worldwide.