Green Onyx?

[Independent Gal]

I''ve been eyeing some gorgeous earrings for my mom that have, among other things, green onyx in them. I know nothing about htis stone. Is there anything I SHOULD know before purchasing jewelry containing it?

 

[Richard M.]

Date: 7/28/2007 1:25:04 PM
Author:Independent Gal
I''ve been eyeing some gorgeous earrings for my mom that have, among other things, green onyx in them. I know nothing about htis stone. Is there anything I SHOULD know before purchasing jewelry containing it?

Green "onyx," like most black "onyx," is dyed chalcedony. Neither is true onyx. The names are trade terms introduced many years ago before there was much public knowledge about colored gems. Genuine onyx is white and black layered chalcedony (nearly always dyed). Cameos are carved from it. Sard onyx has a brown base and white upper layer and carnelian onyx is red with white instead of brown. The term "onyx" is also popularly used in reference to certain kinds of marble and calcite. It''s a very confusing term and is seldom used accurately.

Richard M.