cabbed onyx - Brazilcabbed onyx - Brazil

Onyx Value, Price, and Jewelry Information


For millennia, artisans have carved intricate cameos from black-and-white onyx. Solid black onyxes, faceted or cabbed, are also popular jewelry stones.

5 Minute Read

HomeGemstonesOnyx Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

For millennia, artisans have carved intricate cameos from black-and-white onyx. Solid black onyxes, faceted or cabbed, are also popular jewelry stones.

cabbed onyx - Brazil
Square-cabbed onyx, 3.58 cts, 10.15 mm, Brazil. © Rob Lavinsky, www.mineralauctions.com. Used with permission.

Start an IGS Membership today

for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).

Onyx Value

Onyx stone
Onyx, photo by Simon Eugster. Licensed under CC By-SA 3.0.

What is Onyx?

Onyx is a type of chalcedony, which is itself a form of microcrystalline quartz. Onyxes have straight, nearly parallel bands or layers of color, which allow skilled gem carvers to cut away material to create cameos and intaglios with extraordinary depth and contrast.

Venus cameo, 19th century
Benedetto Pistrucci's "Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side," onyx cameo in a gold frame (5.7 x 4.4 cm), London, ca. 1820-1830. The Milton Weil Collection, 1940. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain. (Cropped to show detail).

Is Onyx a Type of Agate?

Some mineralogical reference materials consider onyxes a variety of agate, itself a variety of chalcedony. According to these sources, the term "onyx" should refer to black, brown, or white banded agates or those with monochromatic light-and-dark bands.

Alternatively, other sources (including the IGS) consider agates and onyxes both banded varieties of chalcedony, only agates have concentric or curved bands and onyxes straight or nearly parallel bands. These distinctions hold regardless of the color of the bands or layers.

Of course, in either case, onyx remains a chalcedony, whether as a variety or sub-variety.

chalcedony on crystalline quartz - Brazil
If onyx is a variety of agate, then this specimen certainly qualifies. The striking black-and-white bullseye-like layer of chalcedony actually grew on a matrix of terminated crystalline quartz. 7.0 x 5.8 x 5.5 cm, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Does Onyx Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

Onyxes can make durable jewelry stones. Their hardness of 7 means they can resist scratching from one of the most common hazards of everyday wear: household dust. With no cleavage and a tough tenacity, they can resist chips and physical blows very well.

Is it Safe to Wear Onyx?

During the Victorian Grand Period (1861-1885), onyxes were popular gemstones, especially for mourning jewelry. Over the centuries, these stones have accumulated a somber and sinister body of folklore.

Victorian mourning jewelry
This 14k yellow gold Victorian mourning brooch features a 2" polished onyx oval and marcasites set in a silver floral crest. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and GWS Auctions Inc.

Superstition aside, normal wearing and handling of finished onyxes pose no health risks. However, gem cutters should note that silicious mineral dust from quartz, including onyxes, may cause silicosis and silicotuberculosis. Although some debate exists over whether non-crystalline silica will cause these diseases, gem cutters should still use dust masks and have proper ventilation for their workspaces. See our article on lapidary health hazards and safety tips for more information.

pear-cut black onyx engagement ring
Pear-cut black onyx set in a delicate gold engagement ring with skull accents. Photo by CustomMade. Used with permission.

Modern Onyx Jewelry Styles

Although onyx and the color black in general still carry funereal associations in Western cultures, jewelry styles since Victorian times have utilized onyx's dark and opaque appearance to complement transparent colored gems as well as diamonds in a variety of pieces.

Art Deco platinum brooch
This Art Deco platinum bow brooch (ca. 1930) features 16 rectangular and trapezoidal faceted black onyxes and 46 round, old European-cut diamonds. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Quinn's Auction Galleries - Central Virginia.

Contemporary jewelers have also seized on the stark appearance and vitreous polish luster of onyxes to make them center stones in their own right. Despite onyx's opacity, gem cutters will often facet this material because the flat surfaces can show a remarkable sheen.

oval-cut black onyx statement ring
Bold, nature-inspired statement ring featuring an oval-cut black onyx. Photo byCustomMade. Used with permission.

Onyx Varieties

Arabic Onyx

Although onyxes may occur with bands of various colors, white and black layers are the most familiar. Gems with a black base color and a white upper layer are known as "true" or "Arabic onyx."

brooch and earrings with cameos
Yellow gold brooch and earrings with onyx cameos, featuring classic black base colors and white upper layers. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Leighton Galleries.

Sardonyx

Onyx with white and reddish, brownish, or yellow layers is known as sardonyx, the traditional August birthstone. Cornelian or carnelian onyx has a red base color and a white upper layer. Ancient civilizations from the Near East and Europe created many amazing sardonyx carvings.

sardonyx cameo of Emperor Augustus - Roman
Sardonyx cameo in a gold frame of the Emperor Augustus on the horns of a double-headed goat (2.8 cm), Roman, 27 BCE-14 CE. Gift of Milton Weil, 1929. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain.

Nicolo Onyx

Nicolo onyx has a very thin layer of white color. This layer can appear almost blue against a black base color.

nicolo onyx - Roman
Nicolo onyx gemstone (1.3 x 0.4 cm), Roman, 2nd-4th century CE. Rogers Fund, 1922. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain.

Black Onyx

Onyxes usually form with very thin layers of color. Very rarely, they can occur in nature with layers thick enough to cut a stone as a solid color. However, most solid black onyxes sold today are actually dyed black chalcedonies.

men's ring
Men's ring featuring a black onyx. Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

Onyx Misnomers

The popularity of onyx has led to some misuse of the term. The most common example of this is so-called "Mexican onyx," "limestone onyx," or "onyx marble." This material is actually a type of banded calcite found in limestone caves.

Calcite is a distinct gem species, not a variety of chalcedony quartz. They have different optical and physical properties. Notably, calcites have perfect cleavage and a much lower hardness than onyxes, thus making them much more fragile. Artisans have used this banded calcite material for millennia to carve decorative items. Today, consumers can still find many objects for sale labeled as "onyx marble." Although this remains a widely used term, keep in mind that this material isn't onyx at all.

This vessel in the shape of a monkey was carved from "onyx marble," known as tecali to the Mixtec Meso-Americans. It also sports pyrite eyes and shell teeth. 19.1 x 12.7 x14 cm, Mexico, 10th-12th century CE. The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain.

Other gemstones have gained "onyx" descriptions based on their appearance, too. For example "onyx obsidian" is a banded variety of that natural glass. "Onyx opals" have alternating layers of common and precious opal. Of course, quartz (onyx), obsidian, and opal are all distinct gem species.

Identifying Characteristics

Black, opaque gemstones pose numerous challenges for identification. This 1996 GIA article offers some testing recommendations.

engagement ring with black onyx and yellow sapphires
This daisy-inspired engagement ring features a black onyx in an 8-claw prong setting and bezel-set yellow sapphires. Photo byCustomMade. Used with permission.

Are There Synthetic Onyxes?

Laboratories can synthesize quartz, and this material does appear in jewelry. However, consumers looking for onyxes are more likely to encounter simulants, natural gemstones or lab-created materials that look like onyxes but with distinct chemistry and/or crystal structures.

For example, synthetic materials such as black, opaque, devitrified glass as well as black, opaque cubic zirconia have been used as onyx substitutes. Natural gemstones such as augite and opaque black spinel have also been offered or misidentified as onyxes. Oddly enough, spinel makes a more durable and generally more expensive jewelry stone than onyx. However, onyx has more name recognition than spinel as a black gemstone, so that may motivate some vendors to sell black spinels as onyxes.

Even in ancient times, onyxes inspired some skillful imitations. For example, the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder described how some "have discovered how to make genuine stones of one variety into false stones of another." For example, so-called sardonyxes were assembled from layers of black, white, and vermillion stones so carefully that "the artifice cannot be detected."

Do Onyxes Receive Gem Enhancements?

Dyeing is so pervasive that most gem certificates will note that black onyxes are "probably dyed." Unless a report explicitly states a black onyx is free of treatments, assume it's treated.

Dyeing onyxes isn't a recent development nor is it limited to solid black specimens. Since these gems may have very thin color layers, dyes may be used to enhance them. Chalcedony is extremely porous, so it readily absorbs dyes of any color.

sardonyx cameo - Italian, onyx
Carving cameos in onyxes to just the right depth to reach desired colors is very challenging, especially when the stones have very thin color layers. In this sardonyx cameo from the 18th century, the carver cut through the red layer on some of the lion's tail and rear leg. Although not the case in this piece, dyes could be used to match the color of exposed areas to the desired layer. 17.1 x 25.5 mm, Italian. The Milton Weil Collection, 1939. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain. (Cropped to show detail).

To create black onyxes, manufacturers typically soak grayish slabs of chalcedony in a sugar solution, then heat them in sulfuric acid. However, this procedure may leave tiny carbon particles in the pores and creates black color only to a depth of a few millimeters. Although this is a stable process, polishing such treated material may remove the black layer.

onyxes - dyed beads
Vintage spacer beads, custom-cut black onyxes. Note the gray color in the bead holes and some surface areas. Like most black onyxes, these stones were dyed. Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

Where are Onyxes Found?

Onyxes occur across the globe. Some notable sources include the following:

  • Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; China; Czech Republic; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Madagascar; Russia; Scotland, United Kingdom; United States; Uruguay; Yemen.

Stone Sizes

Like other chalcedonies, onyxes can form in masses several pounds in weight and many inches in diameter.

How to Care for Onyxes

Since onyxes often receive dye treatments, clean them only with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Don't use ultrasonic or other mechanical cleaning systems. Keep in mind that vintage and antique onyxes and even ancient jewelry pieces may have been treated, too.

Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more care recommendations.

modern black onyx ring
A modern, asymmetric onyx ring, inspired by space, galaxies, and stars. Photo byCustomMade. Used with permission.

International Gem Society

Related Articles

More Articles
Onyx SymbolismVienna Kunsthistorisches Museum, Austria</a>. <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/black-onyx-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/21885155418/">Photo by <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/black-onyx-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/">Carole Raddato</a>. Licensed under <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/black-onyx-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode">CC By-SA 2.0</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Onyx Symbolism

Onyx symbolism and lore is filled with negative associations. Learn how people have counteracted these purported effects and enjoy this...
Read More
Black Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Black Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Black is a color that can say a lot. Wearing black diamond jewelry communicates a sense of unique strength and...
Read More
Chameleon Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information1.50-ct diamond</a> usually has a pleasing, gentle Fancy Gray-Yellowish Green color, but looks completely different if you leave it in your jewelry box for a few weeks." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Chameleon Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Professionals will tell you never to trust a trade name used to describe the appearance of a fancy colored diamond....
Read More
Gray Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Gray Diamond Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Diamonds with a pure gray hue are a rare treasure indeed. More often, gray is mixed with blue or violet...
Read More

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/black-onyx-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/black-onyx-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/black-onyx-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!