Black Onyx Description

Onyx is a layered silicate stone that belongs to the chalcedony group.  Although agates and onyxes both have banding, the onyx stone has parallel bands of layers instead of the curved bands found in agates.  Derived from the Latin word onyx which means claw or fingernail due to the shapes of the bands in the mineral, onyx can come in many colors including green, pink, brown, red, or even clear with white banding.  Still, it most often is found in black varieties with white banding.  The pure black onyx is actually extremely rare.  Most of what is seen on the market today is a heat or chemically treated gray varieties of chalcedony that has been altered to give it a pure, rich, black color.  Onyx can be found anywhere in the world, but black onyx is primarily sourced from India, Brazil, Madagascar, the United States and Russia.

History

Onyx has been mentioned in many texts including the Bible and discovered with a multitude of artifacts in many civilizations throughout history.  Onyx also is mentioned in the ancient Greek stories of the gods as it was folklore that Cupid cut the fingernails of his mother Venus using his arrow.  The fingernails fell to earth into the Indus River where they soaked into the stone creating the mineral, onyx.  The ancient Romans would carve into the mineral as a negative relief called intaglios with raised imaged call cameos.  The Romans believed that wearing black onyx amulets with the figure of mars would provide them with bravery during battle and that breastplates adorned with onyx would guarantee success and bring victory.  In ancient China and India, the stone was thought to be a protective stone, keeping away evil and immoral beings.  

Metaphysical Properties

• Gives Inner Power, Courage and Bravery

• Great for Handling Difficult Situations

• Boosts Confidence and Increases Willpower

• Absorbs and Transmute Low Vibrations

• Attracts Good Luck

• Sharpens the Senses and Focus

• Alleviates Fear and Anxiety

• Protects From Toxic Emotions

• Calms the Mind When Dealing with Negative Emotions and Thoughts

• During Meditation, Provides Guidance on Releasing Negative Influences

• Heals and Centers the Root Chakra

Physical Healing

• Stabilizes the Nervous System

• Raises Stamina and Reduces Fatigue

• Aids in Treating Blood Illnesses

• Strengthens Teeth and Bones

• Supports Bone Marrow and Tissue Structures

• Helps to Heal Skin Diseases or Rashes, Inflammations or Infected Woulds

Chakras

• Root