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Onyx

Big Photo

Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
© Rob Lavinsky

Formula:
SiO
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:Black and white
Lustre:VitreousHardness:7
A variety of Agate

In correct usage, the name refers to a black and white banded variety of Agate, or sometimes a monochromatic agate with dark and light bands (brown and white for example) - but traditionally the name was reserved for black and white banded agate, and brown varieties named Sardonyx.

In recent times the name has become confused with other banded materials, in particular banded calcite formed in cave systems such as the material found in Mexico and Pakistan and often carved, in fact the majority of carved material (such as book-ends, chess-sets, etc) that are available today are made from this carbonate rock. This is a carbonate material and is not true Onyx. Other names have been used over time for this material, such as "Mexican Onyx" and "onyx-marble". Careless use of these names has resulted in the term 'Onyx' being incorrectly applied to a variety of banded materials that are not covered by the original definition of the name.

Classification of Onyx

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Physical Properties of Onyx

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Black and white
Hardness (Mohs):7

Crystallography of Onyx

Crystal System:Trigonal

Chemical Properties of Onyx

Formula:
SiO
 
2
Essential elements:O, Si
All elements listed in formula:O, Si

Other Names for Onyx

Synonyms:
OniceOnicolo
Traditional Chinese names:
黑瑪瑙

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for Onyx

Search Engines:
  • Look for Onyx on Google
  • Look for Onyx images on Google
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Search for Onyx on minvision.com
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Find Onyx on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Search for Onyx at Thames Valley Minerals
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    Localities for Onyx

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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Brazil
     
    • North Region
      • Pará
        • São Geraldo do Araguaia
    		Revista Brasileira de Geociências, vol.30
    • South Region
      • Rio Grande do Sul
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Omenica Mining Division
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Baden-Baden
          • Iberg
    		S. Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
          • Leisberg Mt.
    		S. Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Brandenburg
      • Großräschen
        • Saalhausen
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
      • Lübbenau
        • Calau
          • Plieskendorf
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    Madagascar
     
    • Fianarantsoa Province
      • Atsimo-Atsinanana Region
    		J.Behier(1963): Carte mineralogique de Madagascar. Archive Serv. Geol.Mad. A 1871
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Tayside (Angus)
        • Montrose
          • Usan
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Grand Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Larimer Co.
        • Rocky Mountain National Park
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Saguache Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • Idaho
      • Power Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    • Montana
    		Jay Ellis Ransom,1974, Gems and Minerals of America
      • Madison Co.
        • Ruby Range
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    • Rhode Island
      • Providence Co.
        • Cumberland
    		AmMIn 11:334-340
    • South Dakota
      • Custer Co.
        • Custer District
    		SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
    • Utah
      • Garfield Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Salt Lake Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Tooele Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Stansbury Mts
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Utah Co.
        • Pelican Point Area
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    • Virginia
    		Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    • Wyoming
      • Platte Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals 76:389
    Mineral and/or Locality
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