Understanding Onyx

Learn about Onyx

 Onyx is a type of quartz that can range greatly in color, and is a beautiful
addition to jewelry. It's affordability makes it an even more accessible option for the average consumer. It often alternates in bands of color, including white,
brown, red, black, and grey. With a rich history, elegance, and beauty,
onyx is also a lovely jewelry choice.

Onyx is a very hard stone and registers at seven on the Moh's Hardness scale,
but may be chipped if in contact with other onyx.

Mined in India and South American, in ancient times, onyx was believed to be a talisman of bravery.

Types of Onyx Necklaces

Although available in a range of styles, onyx necklaces are usually designed as pendants worn on a necklace of a material other than onyx, such as a gold chain. Depending on the color of the onyx, the pendant is placed with various metals or other materials to complete the necklaces.

Black Onyx

As an example, black onyx crosses offer a dramatic and interesting look, and are one of the most popular and plentiful looks in onyx pendants. The boldness makes a great unisex choice. Men often prefer a black onyx cross because they feel that it appears stronger and more masculine than lighter or white onyx.
Black onyx crosses are often paired with sterling silver for a striking contrast. The onyx may be encased or detailed using sterling silver as well.
Other popular choices for black onyx crosses include yellow gold and black rubber cord.
Pendants are also available that are not made entirely of onyx,
but have onyx as the focal point or accent of the pendant.

Onyx Beads

Another type of onyx necklace is made with onyx chips or beads. In this case the cross or pendant itself may be made of onyx, or of wood, gemstones, gold, silver,
or some other material.
The onyx beads may be merely used as an accent at the front of the necklace to draw more attention to the pendant, or the chain itself may be composed alternating with metal or other links and onyx beads.

Onyx Resin

While onyx pendants are on the affordable side in terms of fine jewelry, they may still be priced a bit high for some consumers. An alternative is the less-expensive onyx resin which offers a brilliant shine and the look of onyx at a lower cost. Where a sterling silver necklace with a small onyx cross might average around fifty dollars, a full onyx resin bead and cross necklaces might be sold for fewer than twenty dollars.