Description
Onyx has a long history of use for hardstone carving and jewelry, where it is usually cut as a cabochon or into beads. It has also been used for intaglio and hardstone cameo engraved gems, where the bands make the image contrast with the ground. Some onyx is natural but much of the material in commerce is produced by the staining of agate.
Onyx was known to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The first-century naturalist Pliny the Elder described both type of onyx and various artificial treatment techniques in his Naturalis Historia.
The ancient Romans entered battle carrying amulets of onyx engraved with Mars, the god of war. This was believed to bestow courage in battle. In Renaissance Europe, wearing onyx was believed to bestow eloquence. A traditional Persian belief is that it helped with epilepsy.
Metal: Sterling Silver
Size: 7
