As George Eliot said, “These gems have life in them: their color speak, say what words fail of ” Black Onyx is a beautiful solid black variety of Onyx with a parallel layered structure and countless healing effects in a person’s life. It really speaks through its positive impact on your life and words are surely not enough to describe those good charms, it brings to you. From jewelry to meditation, Black Onyx is very much in demand. It is a gemstone that signifies protection, willpower, and calmness. Due to its healing effects in life, it has been in use for many centuries.
Meaning
“Onyx comes through Latin (of the same spelling), from the Greek ὄνυξ, meaning “claw” or “fingernail”.”[Wiki]
The meaning of Black Onyx includes willpower and energy purification. It is believed to protect its owner from evil spirits and difficult situations. This gemstone also symbolizes good fortune. It also gives a sense of self-confidence. The black color of the gemstone reflects its cool and calm nature. It is a birthstone of Leos.
Due to its powerful nature and beauty, Black Onyx has been used by many civilizations. Many Greeks and Romans have used this gemstone in carving figures of gods and doing goldwork. Therefore, its mention can be found in many old manuscripts and books. Though its benefits were not evident in old times, scholars did research on it and revealed its endless positive effects on our lives.
Properties
Physical Properties
Black Onyx is a solid black-colored variety of Onyx. It has parallel layers in its structure and straight bands. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness and a specific gravity of 2.57 to 2.64. It has the same Silicon Dioxide composition as other varieties of Quartz. It is an opaque gemstone with no reflection of light. Like other varieties of onyx, it has a trigonal crystal system with a waxy luster.
Metaphysical Healing Properties
Black Onyx gives you the willpower to decide the right thing for you. It helps you fight for yourself and win against your opponents. You can stand out and prove yourself. In your relationships, it can help you strengthen the bond with your loved ones, and attract each other.
Black Onyx takes out your maximum potential and improves your output in your work or business. It awakens your intuition and helps you achieve desired results and success. This precious stone is your companion in challenges, so you face hurdles easily. You can rely on this gemstone to develop clarity in your goals.
Black Onyx has the ability to protect you against evil spirits and bad temptations. Therefore, it can be worn if you want to get rid of any bad habits. It helps you keep your faith and develop your future. It protects you from the negative energies of the surroundings, as well as the negative people around you. The spiritual healing is one of the effects of wearing this stone. It connects your soul to the Earth and awakens your psychic senses. It is a great choice amongst other gemstones for meditation, as it has grounding and centering effects as well.
Black Onyx helps in the healing of different problems of sensory organs, especially those associated with the ears, such as hearing disorders and tinnitus. It also improves the immune system and the regulation of fluids in the body. It also increases your physical stamina. It is also considered beneficial for teeth, bones, bone marrow and soft tissues. It helps in cell regeneration and also protects against relapses of diseases.
Where to Buy Black Onyx?
Usually Etsy or Amazon is a good idea. Etsy is the leading online global marketplace of handmade, vintage, and creative goods. Amazon is one of the largest global online marketplaces. Both of them are reliable and easy to find your favorite items there.
Black Onyx In Jewelry Uses
If you have black onyx, you definitely want to use it at the maximum. The most trendy and easiest way to carry a gemstone is to wear it as jewelry. In this way, you can complement your outfit as well as your overall look. Black onyx’s fine jewelry is so in fashion these days. In fact, it never goes out of trend. It all depends on your fashion sense and how well you can incorporate it into your look.
The black color of onyx is flexible and one of the neutral colors is gray. The black stone is not only a perfect choice for a casual party but also for a formal party as well. Affordability is another reason for its trend. The jewelry is available in many varieties, rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants and much more.
Rings
Rings are the most basic and loved pieces of jewelry. Whether you got proposed by this ring or your family gifted you on your big success, it has some beautiful memories associated with it. Even people, who do not like wearing too much jewelry, prefer wearing rings in their daily routines at work. You can opt for a stylish carved gold ring setting with Black Onyx for a formal dinner. A beautiful Black Onyx with two silver sterling bands makes a very classy ring for you. Many varieties of engagement rings are also available to make your outfit more stunning.
Bracelets
Black Onyx gives you a statement look, and there is no better way than to incorporate it in the form of a bracelet. If you go for an adjustable beaded bracelet, it will be a great choice for a casual or chic look. You can also wear a silver or gold bracelet with gemstone carved in it with a statement look. If you are going for a Black Onyx silver or gold bracelet, try not to wear any ring or heavy necklace. So, everyone can turn around to be impressed by your style statement.
Necklaces & Pendants
Necklaces and pendants are necessary pieces of jewelry, which increase the beauty of your neck. There are many options for Black Onyx necklaces and pendants in the market. To pair a necklace with your beautiful black dress, you can opt for a metal chain necklace with a gemstone attached to it. There are fancier options like Black Onyx in a handmade heavy gold pendant for a fancier event.
Earrings
When it comes to black onyx earrings, you can choose a style depending on your hairstyle and the size of your face. The stud earrings never go out of trend, as they are a win-win in any situation, whether it’s casual, chic, or formal. Other available options are hoop earrings and drop earrings with a crisp touch of Black Onyx in them.
Where Does Black Onyx Come From?
The deposits of Black Onyx are found in Yemen, Uruguay, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Latin America, the UK, and various states in the US. It is made via sedimentation of Silica Dioxide, found in its parent rock Quartz. It is then mined from beneath the Earth and refined to make it available in the market.
How Much Is Black Onyx Worth?
The value of Black Onyx depends on various factors, forms of the gemstone, cuts, purity, refinement, and size. The value differs in natural and treated forms of the gemstone. When it is already turned into a jewelry piece, its value increases. This shade is more valuable than other shades of Onyx. The price of Black Onyx ranges from $1 to $500 per carat. This difference lies in its setting. A white gold setting can be expensive as compared to a silver setting.
The value of Black Onyx can also vary in different areas. In the US, it may cost high because of its higher demand. If you are planning to sell your stone, you should be careful in comparing prices and choosing the right time. Because prices may go higher at one time, and lower at another time. The value can also differ in retail and sale price. If you’re a retail buyer, rates may be lower than sale rates. There are many lab-made varieties of gemstones, which vary quite a lot in price.
How to Identify Black Onyx?
With the increasing demand for gemstones, there is an increase in the number of fraud cases in the gemstone market, both online and in-store shops. Many sellers are selling other black stones as a deception of Black Onyx. As we know, the foremost purpose of wearing any gemstone is its metaphysical healing effects on our mind, body, and soul. So, one needs to be very careful in recognizing the real Black Onyx.
Here is a little guide on how to identify it:
You can identify a Black Onyx by its natural pattern: base color with straight, parallel, white bands. While other agates have wavy patterns on them.
Many other agates are being sold as Black Onyx these days, and they are dyed black for this purpose. And as well as many other black stones made of softer material.
Its black shade is slightly lighter as compared to other stones like Obsidian, so if you are familiar with the physical properties, you may identify this difference in shades.
Black Onyx has a highly polished and shiny surface. It is reflective and slightly transparent. Make sure that the gemstone does not have any cracks or scratches on its surface. The setting should be clean and well-made.
When it comes to the shine of the gemstone’s surface, the sellers may deceive you by using fancy and low lights in their store to fool the customers. Dark light setups make it impossible for you to see scratches or any other possible flaws in the gemstones.
If you have bought Black Onyx online, and you think that you are still not able to identify a real gemstone from a fake one, you can go to a gemstone expert or jewelry maker, and ask him for an authentic verification of the quality.
How to Cleanse and Charge Black Onyx?
During the journey from handling to trading, shipment, and packing, it may absorb other energies from its surroundings. It may have been in use of any other person. Owing to a number of healing properties, gemstone needs to be cleansed and charged once you buy it. Though these two terms are used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Cleansing a stone means removing all the energies it has absorbed from the surroundings while charging a stone means replenishing its depleted energy due to frequent use in daily life.
One of the easiest and fastest ways of cleansing a Black Onyx is by smudging a sage. A stick of sage is lightened and blown a little, so it releases a slow stream of smoke. Now, place your crystal in the stream of smoke by holding it in your hand and letting the smoke rise on all its sides.
Do this for five minutes and your Onyx will be cleansed. This is the safest method because there is no risk of damage or discoloring of your gemstone. You may feel the smell of smoke from the stone for some time, so try not to do this procedure just before going somewhere. You can also cleanse your Black Onyx by passing it through a candle flame while making sure that you and your gemstone do not get harmed.
You can also cleanse your Black Onyx in seawater. If you do not have seawater, add 3 tablespoons of salt in half a gallon of water. You have to be very patient while cleansing your gemstone via this method because it requires soaking for 12 hours.
If it is raining outside, you can take the benefit of this natural water and let your gemstone take a bath in rainwater for almost 12 hours. Rainwater will remove negativity from the gemstone.
You can also bury your Black Onyx in soil, as Mother Earth helps cleanse gemstones and rejuvenate them. You can also wash your gemstone in river water for some time if you can find a safer way to keep it there.
You can also cleanse your Black Onyx by leaving it in the sunlight for 6 to 12 hours. It not only cleanses your stone by removing the negative powers from the gemstone but also recharges it. Similarly, full moonlight can also cleanse and recharge your gemstone, and it requires more duration than the sunlight does.
How to Use Black Onyx?
Wearing the gemstones with the right intention is as important as their cleansing and charging. You can wear your gemstone in different ways to get different benefits.
While traveling you can carry it with you to protect yourself from attacks and evil spirits.
You can keep it at the workplace to deflect the hypocrisy, conspiracies, and manipulations of your colleagues.
Hold it in your hand and repeat your wish if you want to gain prosperity and well-being.
You can hold it in your palm while meditating. It will help improve your imagination.
Wearing a Black Onyx bracelet can make you feel energetic and powerful.
If you are going for an interview or meeting, you can wear a Black Onyx pendant or necklace to connect your roots to your throat. As a result, you feel more confident and relaxed.
You can wear this stone during sleep. Doing this will set your circadian rhythm and give you a peaceful sleep.
Black Onyx can be used as an elixir via the crystal therapy method. This will increase your vibrations and restore the frequency of your physical health.
You can place the Black Onyx between your feet or directly on your pubic bone to benefit during chakra healing.
Comparison to Other Gemstones
As you know there are a variety of black gemstones in the market, you should know the comparison of different gemstones. This will help you in identifying the stones on the basis of their differences.
Black Onyx vs Black Diamond
Black Onyx is opaque and highly glossy, while Black Diamond is clear. Black Onyx does not reflect light while Black Diamond does. Diamond is composed of carbon while Onyx is a silicon dioxide crystal. Black Onyx is known as a tectosilicate as other varieties of quartz while Black Diamond is known as a native element. Diamond is the hardest gemstone with a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, while Onyx is comparatively safer with a hardness of 7.
Black Onyx is also affordable while Black Diamond is quite expensive.
Black Onyx vs Obsidian
Black Onyx is more of an earthy crystal while Obsidian is a fire element due to its volcanic glassy nature. Their main difference lies in their formation.
Obsidian is formed as a result of the volcanic eruption. When the lava cools down, it is formed. Hence, it does not have a crystalline structure and it possesses a glossy and glassy nature. On the other hand, Black Onyx is formed beneath the Earth by sedimentation, and it has a dull finish.
Black Onyx vs Black Jasper
Black Onyx is a form of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz, while Black Jasper is a form of impure quartz. Both have the basic components of Silicon Dioxide.
Black Onyx vs Tourmaline
Black onyx, when cut, will look absolutely solid black without any marks of other shades. On the other hand, when Tourmaline is cut, it has a very fine glitter through it. Tourmaline also reflects light giving a silver shine.
Best Combinations to use with Black Onyx
The gemstone lovers usually own a variety of gemstones, but wearing all of them at one time needs proper research. You can not just wear multiple stones without knowing whether they are compatible or not. The compatibility of different gemstones can depend on many factors like colors, shapes, cuts, the structure of the crystals, the families of the gemstones and their compatible physical effects. If a stone has opposite effects on the other stone, wearing them together can cancel their effects. As a consequence, there will be no positive effect of stone on you. Let’s have a look at some combinations of Black Onyx with other gemstones:
Black Onyx can be combined with Lapis Lazuli. This combination will help overcome difficulties and develop self-confidence in your personality by overcoming hurdles in your life.
Another beneficial combination is Black Onyx and Hyopersthene. Since both stones have the effect of bringing prosperity and positivity in life, this combination will guide you in the right direction.
You can also combine Black Onyx with Tiger’s Eye. If you are going to a competition, a war, or a fight, this stone will help you survive and win any battle.
Adventurine is another good stone to combine with Black Onyx if you want to challenge a new field.
Hematite and Black Onyx are another duo to exercise your maximum power.
You can also wear Zircon, Moonstone, and Emerald with Black Onyx to enhance and double the amazing positive effects on your life.
Final Words
Undoubtedly, Black Onyx is not only a beautiful addition in your jewelry but also a protective shield against all the negativities. The effects of any gemstone depend on your intentions for wearing it. So, keep your intentions true, know what you want and buy a beautiful Black Onyx for yourself, that will not only enlighten your life but also your beauty.