Gemstones
Onyx
A popular form of quartz, onyx is a variant of agate, known for its black colour, often streaked with white ribbons. However, onyx is also available in brown hues.
Pure black onyx owes its even black colour to an ancient dyeing process using sugar – a technique that is still used today.
The word “onyx” comes from the Greek onyx meaning 'fingernail' or ‘claw’. According to myth, Cupid cut the fingernails of his mother Venus, and scattered them on the sands of the earth. The fates, to ensure that no part of Venus would ever perish, turned them to stone.
Onyx is a relatively hard stone, and so should be resistant to light scratches, but should nevertheless be worn and stored with care.
In some birthstone calendars onyx is associated with the month of July.
To ensure that your gemstones stay looking as beautiful as ever, follow the Annoushka jewellery guide to Jewellery Care Gemstones >
