The Onyx

Onyx is a stone that anchors and has many affinities with the world of matter.

Its wisdom teaches you to act with uprightness and a sense of responsibility. It teaches you to take on your tasks without running away from them or denying them, and not to let yourself be led astray by your scattered mind or your emotions. By teaching you the art of self-control, Onyx is a stone that can help you in many everyday situations, helping you to gain stability.

With Onyx as your companion, you learn not to let yourself be influenced, you dare to assert yourself and remain true to your own convictions. It encourages you to remain realistic and lucid, so that you can always find the right action or stance to take in the face of others or life's events.

It is a stone that can help free oneself from addictions such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sugar, compulsive shopping, addiction to sex or pornographic films, etc., or from emotional dependencies.

Its black color invites you to introspection, the only possible way to find the cause(s) of your problems or difficulties. With Onyx as your guide in the world of shadows, you benefit from effective protection against all forms of negative energy. Black stones are essentially linked to the Earth element, in connection with the quest for anchorage and stability. Here you can see another black stone - Shungite - which can accompany you on a path of transformation.

On a physical level, Onyx can help relieve tinnitus and diseases or disorders related to the inner ear. It can improve hearing, eyesight and sense of balance, and strengthen the immune system.

How to use Onyx

• Onyx works slowly, over time. To take full advantage of its benefits, wear Onyx daily.
• Take the Onyx with you when you meet people who could easily manipulate you.
• You can wear Onyx as a talisman to protect yourself from negative energies in your environment.

Precautions for use

• In some people, Onyx can accentuate the emotion of sadness (which is not negative if the stone is used in an introspective way).
  Some lithotherapists advise against using Onyx with pregnant women.

Where to place Onyx?

• Onyx in your living space diffuses energies conducive to the concrete realization of things and acceptance of the world of matter.
• Place this stone on your desk to assert yourself in the professional world, to help you stay on track and take on all your work and family responsibilities without losing your footing.
• You can also put it in your driveway to protect your home.

Who is Onyx for?

• For people who are never on time or easily distracted.
• For those who struggle to assert themselves, lack confidence or are easily influenced.
• For people who struggle to fully embody themselves and live in harmony with the physical world.

Onyx in mineralogy

Onyx is a variety of black Chalcedony with white veins from the Quartz group. It is a silicon dioxide containing iron and manganese. Its color is due to these two elements finely distributed throughout its composition.

It is formed from hydrous silicic acid solutions or hydrothermal solutions containing large quantities of iron and manganese. It does not form visible crystals and is found in dense aggregates or nodules.

Did you know? Naturally black Onyx is rare. Tinted or heated Chalcedony is often sold as Onyx.

Sardonyx is a chalcedony variety with reddish-brown and black colors.

The history of Onyx

Its name comes from the Greek onyx,meaning "nail".

As Onyx is easily confused with other black stones, ancient writings are unreliable for tracing its history before the 18ᵉ century.

Medieval writings speak of a black stone (probably Onyx) used in magic to protect against demons.

This stone became very fashionable in jewelry in 19ᵉ century England during the Victorian era. It was its black color that was highly prized because at the time, in addition to being a fashionable color, a symbol of elegance, it was also the color of mourning, the color worn by Queen Victoria from the death of her husband until the end of her life. In solidarity with the Queen, it was considered fashionable to wear black clothes and jewelry.

Legend associated with Onyx

There is a Greek legend that explains the origin of Onyx and its name.

Legend has it that one day, Eros cut the nails of a sleeping Venus with the tip of an arrow. To prevent these parts of the divinity's body from disappearing, the Moires, divinities of destiny, transformed them into Onyx.