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Onyx

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:
Onicolo
Other Languages:
Arabic:أونيكس
Bulgarian:Оникс
Czech:Onyx
Dutch:Onyx
Finnish:Onyksi
French:Onyx
Galician:Ónix
German:Onyx
Hebrew:אוניקס
Italian:Onice
Latin:Onyx
Latvian:Onikss
Lithuanian:Oniksas
Persian:عقیق سلیمانی
Polish:Onyks
Portuguese:Ónix
Romanian:Onix
Russian:Оникс
Serbian (Cyrillic Script):Оникс
Spanish:Ónix
Swedish:Onyx

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

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  • Find Onyx on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
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  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
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    Localities for Onyx

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (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
        • Kemano
    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
    Behier, J. (1963): Carte mineralogique de Madagascar. Archive Service Géologique Madagascar. A 1871
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Karelia Republic
        • Ladoga Region
          • Pitkyaranta (Pitkäranta) District
            • Salmi
    Polekhovsky, Y.S., and Punin, Y.O. (2008): Geology of Ore Deposits 50(7), 642-646.
    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
    Google
     
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 23rd Oct 2009 09:13:41