Onyx Pendant

Onyx Gemstone Pendant

Hand-made sterling silver pendant featuring an elegant onyx gemstone with a vitreous lustre.  Stones with a vitreous lustre reflect light in a similar way to glass.  

Onyx which is a variety of the mineral chalcedony is widely used for lapidary purposes and is particularly popular as a gemstone.  Stones are translucent and tend to be shaped as cabochons. 

Onyx is often dyed because its natural grey and white bands are not considered to be sufficiently popular with the wider commercial market.  Being porous means that it absorbs and retains artificial dye particularly well.  Records show that onyx has been dyed for thousands of years probably because man has always been fascinated by bright and vibrant colours.  Although black onyx does occur naturally, it's exceptionally rare hence the vast majority is dyed.

This natural coloured onyx gemstone has been mounted in a fine sterling silver setting and was crafted entirely by hand for Stone Mania.