| Onyx is a semi-precious stone that is a banded | | | | 1888), or the period of mourning that Queen |
| variety of bloodstone or chalcedony. It is also a | | | | Victoria of Britain entered into on the death of |
| kind of quartz that is known for having a texture | | | | her beloved husband, Prince Albert in 1861. The |
| that is finely crystalline - such that its crystalline | | | | jewelry of the era was marked by dark, somber |
| structure can only be seen in very thin slices using | | | | themes - onyx was especially preferred because |
| polarized light. Onyx bands range from white to | | | | it provided a subtle contrast to a black |
| almost any color except purple, blue or black; a | | | | background (the color of mourning). |
| variety of onyx called sardonyx has color bands in | | | | In ancient times, Roman soldiers wore sardonyx |
| shades of red (called sard) instead of black. | | | | amulets with likenesses of the God of War or |
| Onyx Jewelry | | | | Hercules engraved on them, believing that this |
| Onyx jewelry is usually cut as beads or | | | | would make them as strong or fearless as these |
| cabochons, gemstones which are polished and | | | | heroes. During the Renaissance, many believed |
| shaped into a smooth, usually dome-like shape | | | | that onyx or sardonyx gave the wearer the |
| with a flat bottom as opposed to being faceted | | | | power of eloquence, and was thus highly valued |
| (multi-faced) like diamonds, rubies or emeralds. | | | | by orators and public speakers. |
| Onyx has also been used for cameos and | | | | Onyx today is still a highly-valued semi-previous |
| intaglios, with the jewelry maker using the stone's | | | | stone to this day, used as jewelry, fashion |
| colors against a black or dark background. | | | | accessory - and for various other purposes. It is |
| Onyx cameos reached their peak during the | | | | considered the birthstone for February, although it |
| Victorian era, specifically the period known to | | | | is the astrological birthstone for Leo (July 23 to |
| jewelry historians as the "Grand Period" (1861 to | | | | August 22). |