Black onyx bracelet Brazil A (faceted beads 7-8mm)

The most famous legend belongs to Greek mythology. It is said that this fabulous black stone owes its name to Aphrodite's fingernails. The beauty had fallen asleep, and for fun, her son, the young Cupid, cut her fingernails with one of his arrows.

He set off with his loot for Olympus, but what belongs to the gods and goddesses cannot be altered. The deities of Fate repossessed Aphrodite's fingernails and transformed them into precious stones, called onyx.

The word onyx comes from the Greek "onux," which translates as nail or claw. One of the characteristics of onyx is that it does not stick to wax. It was therefore widely used in Rome to make cameos and seals, which closed their letters. They also used this stone to make ornamental objects or statuettes.

In the Middle Ages, onyx, due to its dark color, was associated with hatred and evil spells. Black represented darkness, death, and gloom. It was even believed that owning an onyx could bring misfortune. In China, the black stone also had a very bad reputation.

Yet, in the Bible, God addresses Moses and gives him instructions on how to build a sanctuary and prepare the priests' vestments and insignia. He mentions a breastplate of judgment that will have four rows of stones, and the fourth row will contain chrysolite, beryl, and onyx.

In Asian countries, the black mineral was considered a source of misfortune. However, the Indians attributed to it the power to protect against evil spells and alleviate pain.

Thus, for several centuries and in several civilizations, black onyx was associated with anger, hatred, and despair. Then, at the end of the 19th century, this stone came back into fashion thanks to Queen Victoria. Black was a color reserved for mourning. But Queen Victoria was particularly fond of this color and decided to wear it in her jewelry. The fashion was thus launched in England, where onyx became a hit.

Onyx belongs to the large family of silicates. It is a variety of chalcedony, just like agate, which is part of the quartz group. It has a translucent or opaque appearance, black in color with some white bands on some specimens.

Onyx is formed in volcanic rocks, in the cracks of igneous and metamorphic rocks. These rocks were formed under the action of heat and pressure. Onyx can sometimes be found polished by water into pebble shapes.

Onyx has a conchoidal fracture and a vitreous luster. Its hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale. For comparison, diamond has a maximum hardness of 10 on this same scale. Onyx is now used in jewelry making. It is also used to create various decorative objects in lithotherapy.

The main deposits are located in Brazil, Australia, China, Russia, the United States, etc.

Onyx is a true shield against negative energies. It brings harmony and calm to the mind. Bad thoughts give way to peaceful ones. It is excellent for people with tumultuous thoughts and those who are in contact with harmful influences.

This stone strengthens self-confidence and self-assurance. It promotes better emotional management while limiting feelings of sadness, anxiety, and anguish. It provides serenity and effectively combats stress. It generates stability in fickle or moody people.

Onyx is a grounding stone that helps you enjoy the present moment and ground yourself. It facilitates openness to others and quality exchanges. It encourages empathy and compassion. The confidence generated by wearing onyx facilitates contact with those around you.

This stone is particularly recommended for meditation sessions. Wearing onyx is said to stabilize the mind and encourage introspection. Understanding yourself better allows you to move forward in life. It helps maintain absolute concentration and can be recommended for students or those in training.

Onyx is a stone that fosters a sense of responsibility, allowing one to overcome life's obstacles and difficulties. It allows one to no longer look to the past and face the future without apprehension while savoring the present.