What does onyx mean?
Onyx is the name of a banded variety of chalcedony, a hard form of quartz whose layers can differ sharply in color. It may be black, white, brown, amber, or arranged in multiple contrasting bands, and it has been used for jewelry, seals, cameos, small carvings, and larger decorative objects. The word also carries an association with luxury and visual elegance because polished onyx can have striking patterns and a deep, glass-like appearance. It should not be confused with all chalcedony: onyx is distinguished by its regular parallel banding, whereas other forms may be plain or differently patterned. In modern English, onyx is primarily a noun naming the stone, while forms such as “onyx-like” describe objects or finishes that resemble its color or banded appearance.
nounA banded variety of chalcedony, a hard cryptocrystalline form of quartz, valued for its contrasting layers of color. The stone is commonly black, white, brown, or mixed in banding and is used in jewelry, carvings, and decorative objects.
- A banded variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone and ornamental material.
"She wore a brooch of polished onyx set in silver."
"The cabinet was inlaid with strips of onyx and mother-of-pearl."
"Collectors value the fine white and amber banding in this polished onyx bowl."
Usually used when referring to multiple stones, carvings, or objects made from onyx.
"The display included polished onyxes and small gemstone carvings."
Onyx gets its name from a Greek word meaning fingernail or claw, a fitting origin for a stone prized for its hardness and distinctive bands.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does onyx come from?
English borrowed the word from Latin onyx, which in turn came from Greek ónyx, meaning “finger” or “claw.” The Greek term referred both to the fingernail and to certain banded stones that were compared with nails. The name was associated with the stone because some varieties show parallel bands, and the modern English word continues to denote this ornamental variety of chalcedony.
Related word forms
How onyx is actually used
Onyx is specifically a patterned or banded form of chalcedony, although the term is sometimes used loosely for dark chalcedony. In jewelry and decorative arts, it generally refers to the material rather than to a particular color.