Onyx

Black Onyx beads are chalcedony quartz, it is also known as black agate. Black onyx has a fine texture and black color; however some black onyx also displays white bands or brown ribbons against a black.

The name onyx comes from the Greek word which means nail of a finger or claw. Originally, almost all colors of chalcedony from white to dark brown and black were called onyx. Today when we think of onyx beads we often preface the word with black to distinguish it from other varieties of onyx that come in white, reddish brown, brown and banded. The reddish brown with white and lighter reddish bands is known as sardonyx. Black onyx is a very good stone for use in carving.