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Gemstone Directory Onyx | Onyx |
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Most varieties of onyx including black onyx are the result of dying. These dyes have been used for hundreds of years and few people are aware that black onyx is not completely natural. Queen Victoria loved jewellery but would only wear black during her time in mourning and this is believed to be when black onyx was first introduced. Used it extensively during her mourning period, the colour of this gemstone was looked upon as being sombre and reflected her sadness. Onyx is often used for rosary beads as the Christians held on to the pagan belief that it had great medicinal benefits. It was believed that onyx quickly healed wounds and also helped with childbirth. The name onyx comes from the Greek word meaning fingernail. Mythology says that one day Cupid cut the divine fingernails of Venus while she was sleeping. He left the clippings scattered on the sand and the pixies turned them into stone so that no part of the heavenly body would ever perish. Onyx is said to aid restful sleep and eradicate apathy and stress. It is believed to help combat negative thoughts and to sharpen the wits of the wearer. It is also said to help bring passions under control. Those in negotiating or gaming professions are said to benefit from onyx. Onyx is frequently used in crystal healing and it is believed to bring us into contact with our actual realities and assist us in gradually releasing all that is not in harmony with our present lives. It can also be usd to banish grief, to enhance self control, to stimulate the power of wise decision making and to encourage happiness and good fortune. Onyx is believed to have been one of the gemstones in the 'ephod' or High Priest's Breastplate, this is one of eight ritual garments worn by the Israelite and later the Jewish High Priest while serving in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The most popular colour for onyx used in jewellery is black, but green and red are also frequently used and other varieties such as linen onyx are also becoming increaingly popular. Onyx the anniversary gemstone for the 7th year of marriage and black onyx is the anniversary gemstone for the 10th year. Onyx is graded 7 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The following links offer further reading on the gemstone onyx http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/onyx.html
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