About This Product

Black Onyx: The Epitome of Timeless Elegance

Polished Black Onyx beads radiate a quiet, lustrous charm, reflecting light like drops of liquid midnight. Treasured by royalty and revered by collectors, Black Onyx is far more than a gemstone – it’s a statement of power, protection, and exclusive elegance. For millennia, its inky black depths and silky shine have symbolized a style that transcends time, making it a coveted jewel in every era.

Treasured Through History

For over 3,000 years, Black Onyx has been prized by those in power. Cleopatra, the legendary Queen of the Nile, famously wore black onyx as a personal talisman – it was said to even vibrate with warning when sensing negative energy, alerting the queen to potential danger. Ancient Roman soldiers likewise carried onyx amulets carved with the likeness of Mars, the god of war, to embolden their courage in battle. Through each age, Black Onyx signified status and protection, a gemstone reserved for the mighty and the revered.

Even in more recent times, Black Onyx retained its aristocratic allure. In Victorian England, after Queen Victoria’s deep mourning for Prince Albert, society embraced black onyx jewelry as the height of refined elegance in mourning attire. This royal endorsement cemented Black Onyx’s reputation as a stone of somber sophistication and timeless class, worn by those who understood its quiet power and prestige.

Symbolism & Significance

Beyond its stunning appearance, Black Onyx carries rich symbolism that adds to its desirability. Across cultures it has long been viewed as a stone of strength and protection. In antiquity, people wore black onyx as a talisman to ward off negativity and evil, earning it the nickname “stone of the warriors” for its reputed ability to bestow courage and resilience. It was believed to absorb fear and empower its wearer – whether an ancient hero preparing for battle or a modern individual facing life’s challenges. Even today, slipping on a piece of black onyx jewelry can evoke a sense of grounded calm and confidence, as if you carry a protective legacy with you. The stone’s deep black hue further symbolizes authority and elegance, a color of mystery that adds a touch of intrigue to the wearer’s presence.

Exquisite Beauty & Rarity

The allure of Black Onyx lies as much in its physical beauty as in its legend. Each gemstone showcases a velvety, jet-black surface that polishes to a high gloss, yielding a mirror-like luster that captivates the eye. This smooth, opaque complexion makes Black Onyx a versatile accent – equally at home in a minimalist modern setting or an ornate vintage design – always imparting a note of sophistication. Yet, for all its beauty, true Black Onyx is exceptionally rare. In fact, only an estimated 2% of all onyx mined is naturally black, placing authentic Black Onyx among the most sought-after of gemstones. This rarity elevates its exclusivity: to own Black Onyx is to hold a treasure few will ever possess, a gem as uncommon as it is exquisite. Such scarcity, combined with its dramatic beauty, ensures that Black Onyx remains a timeless emblem of elegance – a luxury reserved for those with the most discerning taste.

Gemological Profile

• Hardness (Mohs scale): 6.5–7 – durable enough for regular wear, with good resistance to scratches.

• Composition: Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) – a variety of microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony).

• Crystal system: Trigonal (cryptocrystalline quartz structure).

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy shine when polished) to silky.

• Primary sources: Notably found in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and India (among the leading producers of high-quality Black Onyx). It is also mined in parts of the United States, Australia, Madagascar, and other regions.

• Other geological details: Specific gravity ~2.6 (average density); no cleavage (breaks with a conchoidal, shell-like fracture); streak color is white.