Onyx
Symbol: Protection
Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz. It's best known for its solid black color, though the mineral naturally forms in alternating bands of black, white, and brown — solid black onyx is often achieved through dyeing.
Where It Comes From
Onyx is mined in Brazil, India, Uruguay, and Madagascar.
What Different Peoples Believed
| People | What It Symbolized |
|---|---|
| Ancient Rome | Carved into intaglio seals used to stamp wax on official documents. |
| Ancient Greece | Named after the Greek word for claw or fingernail, describing its banded pattern. |
| Persian tradition | Carved into decorative vessels and ornamental objects. |
Birth Month
Onyx isn't one of the 12 official birthstones and has no widely recognized birth month.