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Onyx
It is usually cut as a cabochon, or into beads, and is also used for intaglios and cameos, where the bands make the image contrast with the ground. Some onyx is natural but much is produced by the staining of agate. The name has sometimes been used, incorrectly, to label other banded lapidary materials, such as banded calcite found in Mexico, Pakistan, and other places, and often carved, polished and sold. This material is much softer than true onyx, and much more readily available. The majority of carved items sold as 'Onyx' today are this carbonate material. [1]
Additional recommended knowledge
Culture and historical usage
HistoryOnyx is originally an Assyrian word meaning ring, and so could refer to anything used for making rings.
Astrological RelationsThe onyx is the stone for the western zodiac sign, Leo, and the Chinese zodiac sign of the Ox. It can be many different colours, but the ones with the reddish brown colour is the preferred type. Onyx is said to banish grief, bring fortune to its possessor, bring recognition of personal strengths and increase regeneration, intuition and instincts. It is also thought to decrease sexual desire and help to change bad habits. [2] PrecautionsOnyx should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner or cleaned with abrasive or ammonia based cleaner as using such types can cause discolouration of the stone. References
See alsoLook up onyx in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Categories: Quartz varieties | Gemstones |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Onyx". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |