It is a stone different from known "marble". When looking from outside, it is hard to distinguish from marble. However, Onyx is semitransparent and marble is not. While marble is extracted from layers close to the surface of the earth, Onyx stone is found in much deeper layers and gain value according to their colors.
Being a type of chalcedony, Onyx stone is formed by combination of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, copper, iron oxide and fluorine as a result of boiling underground waters.
On of the important secrets of jewelers is that stones on dark background glimmer better and this contrast makes the stones look bigger. While preparing this illusion, the first material to constitute the dark background is Onyx.
Onyx was a popular stone in Ancient Greece and Rome. The name "Onyx" is derived from Roman mythology. Goddess of Beauty; it is formed of onyx silicon dioxide which can be found in white and brown in nature. It is a hard stone which corresponds to 7.0 in Mohs scale.
Our guests who came to Kırşehir choose Onyx stone as a souvenir specific to Kırşehir in order to keep this fascinating atmosphere in their memories and to tell their friends about it.
Accepted Benefits of Onyx:
It balances the relationship between man and woman, provides healthy communication between opposing sexes, establishes contentment between married people.
It provides the type of energy the person needs.
Thanks to its feature of blocking negative energy, it is effective against evil eye.
It eliminates mental confusion and concentration problems. Helps the person to make correct decisions.
It reduces future anxiety.
Improves self-control.
It saves the person from addiction.
Whitish Onyx helps sleeping.
It calms the nerves or excitement center. Diminishes or completely eliminates excessive feelings (sorrows), memories causing stress and other negativities.
Gives courage and chance in benevolent works.
Helps insight and dreaming in meditation.
It is a subspecies of agate which is a member of the chalcedony family of quartz.
In real its color is a mixture of gray and black. It has light colored stripes. Thus, it is named after the word meaning "fingernail". İt is shiny like glass.
Dark black, blue and green colors may be achieved after painting. For instance, matte gray Onyx stone is thrown in boiling water with honey or sugar, honey or sugar is absorbed in the stone, then the stone is heated in fire and sugar or honey is carbonized. Thus, brownish black colored Onyx is obtained.
Also Called = Chemical Group = Silicate
The group it is based on = Quartz and Chalcedony >Agate
Other Group Members = Sard, Sardonyx
Subspecies = -
Crystal System = Trigonal (Three Cornered Layered Symmetrical)
Chemical Formula = SIO2+Fe,Mn
Composing Elements = Silicon, Oxygen + Iron and Manganese in small quantities
Hardness = 7
Specific Weight = 2,57 - 2,65
Color = Straight lines black, brown, gray, white
Stripe Color = White
Brightness = Glassy
Structural Appearance = Opaque (Non-transparent)
Can be mixed with = Less colored agate
Fluorescence = -
Phosphorescence = -
Symbolizes = -
Number it is identified with = -
Month it is identified with = February, December
Animal it is identified with = -
Zodiac it is identified with = Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius
Chakra it is identified with = Root
Element it is identified with = Earth
Mainly extracted from = Kırşehir, Sivas, Eskişehir, Balıkesir
1 - Natural Onyx Stone
2- Cutting
3- Forming
4- Polishing