Onyx is best known for its black color, but my collection also reveals pale bands, brown tones, and pockets of tiny crystals. If you’ve pictured it as a uniformly black gem, these pieces show its natural variation.

In my Arizona studio, a converted garage, I use onyx both on its own and beside other stones.The video here shows many of the gems in my collection.

Onyx Belongs to the Quartz Family

Onyx is a microcrystalline member of the quartz family. Although black is the color most closely associated with it, the stones aren’t all solid black.

In fact, completely black pieces are less common than those with visible lines or bands. Some examples carry brown tones, while others reveal white areas or warmer colors. Each stone with it’s variations is one of a kind.

The Legend of Venus, Cupid, and Onyx

How a sleeping goddess became part of the story

The onyx name in Greek translates to the word “claw.” The legend begins with Venus sleeping beside the water. While Venus slept, Cupid cut her fingernails. The clippings fell into the water, sank, and became onyx.

It’s a story about the stone’s name, told as gemstone lore rather than a historical account. I adore these legends for the little stories they attach to the gems I work with.

The belief that black onyx absorbs negative energy

Onyx also has a place in protective-stone traditions. It is said that its black color draws in negative energy.Cleopatra was thought to have worn it for that purpose.

Within this lore, protection and absorbing negative energy are closely connected. These are traditional beliefs associated with the gemstone, rather than demonstrated effects of wearing it.

The Bands, Colors, and Crystals in Onyx

A polished black onyx specimen with fine cream and brown bands on a stone surface.

Straight bands and warm brown tones

Straight bands are a common feature in onyx.

Many gems include brown alongside black. Others make the banding especially clear across its broad surface. Additionally,onyx can appear in brown or yellow tones, widening the picture beyond the familiar black gemstone.

Druzy and visible quartz

Much onyx also contains druzy, the tiny crystals visible within the stone. These loose specimens show off the luster and beauty of this option.

Carving and Faceting Onyx for Jewelry

Onyx is a hard quartz stone, placing its hardness to at least 7. This lends itself well to carving and faceting.

Although the material is hard, it can carry detailed carved designs. Faceting offers another way to shape it, and the small stones in her finished work make those surfaces easy to see.

The completed pendant shown here gives you a feel for the lovely inclusions possible in onyx.

Pairing Onyx with Dendritic Opal

these earrings feature a new gem I have just adding to my collection. Merlin’s Magic dendritic Opal. The black inclusions in the gem are perfect for a companion onyx gem. I often use smaller onyx gems to complement a larger gem.

Notes on Cleansing and Cleaning Onyx

Sunlight for cleansing

For cleansing, I suggest leaving onyx in sunlight.

Caution about ultrasonic cleaners

I do not recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner for onyx, even though it’s part of the quartz family. My concern is that ultrasonic cleaning can cause fading.

That distinction is her main care caution: the stone’s hardness doesn’t make an ultrasonic cleaner her preferred choice. GIA also discusses gemstone suitability in its guide to ultrasonic cleaners.

More Work from Alene’s Arizona Studio

Alongside gemstone discussions, Alene plans to share more of the jewelry work she does in her studio. Her onyx examples include completed designs as well as loose stones still waiting to become pendants, cuffs, or accents in another piece.

Onyx Has More to Show Than Solid Black

The stones I share make onyx’s natural variety clear. Bands, warm colors, and druzy give individual pieces their own appearance.

That variety guides my designs. A large stone may become a pendant or cuff, while a smaller black gem can complement the dark areas in dendritic opal. The familiar black color is only part of what I enjoy working with.

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