Gem of the Week: Onyx

Onyx is part of the chalcedony family. Onyx can be used to stabilize and heal your root chakra, to increase grounding and productiveness. Onyx offers energetic support to help your chakras become more adaptable, this in turn enables you to be more productive. Color: Blue, Black, Blue Lace, Moss, Pink, Red, Snakeskin

  

The word Onyx comes from the Greek word for fingernail or claw because when in a lighter, flesh tone, the stone is said to resemble a fingernail. Black Onyx is most famous as a stone, but the most common Onyx is banded Onyx which has bands of different color through it.
Often Calcite is labeled as Onyx and sold as it is softer and more prevalent.
Humanity has been fabricating man-made Onyx since Ancient Rome. They used a process of soaking agates in sugar recipes and adding sulfur or hydrochloric acid. This treatment is still used today!
Onyx has been used since the Ancient Greeks of Crete and Ancient Egypt for decorative purposes. From architecture to jewelry to carvings, Onyx has been used to beautify the rich.