Quick Answer: The clearest traditions for onyx are about sardonyx, its red to brown banded variety. Wikipedia says Roman soldiers carried sardonyx amulets engraved with Mars, assumed to bestow courage, and that in Renaissance Europe sardonyx was assumed to bestow eloquence. Black onyx has been used in jewelry and carving since antiquity. These are traditional beliefs, not medical facts, and a stone is not a treatment for any condition.
Onyx is the classic black stone of jewelry, and it is one of the six stones named on Akitai's charm bracelets. This short guide covers what onyx is, what it is traditionally said to stand for, and how it is worn. For the other stones, see Akitai's crystal meanings guide, and for what black and other bead colors are said to mean, see the color-by-color guide.
Onyx is a solid black or banded black and white chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline form of quartz. Minerals.net (checked October 2026) describes it as an ancient gemstone with a hardness of 7. Wikipedia adds that the name comes through Latin from the Ancient Greek word for "claw" or "fingernail", because pink and white banded onyx can resemble a fingernail.
A red to brown banded variety is called sardonyx, per Wikipedia. Minerals.net describes onyx as either solid black or banded black and white, and notes the banded form can be classed as both onyx and agate.
| Onyx at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Chalcedony, a quartz variety |
| Color | Black, or banded black and white |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Tradition (sardonyx) | Courage, eloquence |
| In jewelry | Since antiquity |
The sources checked give no settled meaning for plain black onyx, but they do record traditions for sardonyx, the red to brown banded variety. Wikipedia says the ancient Romans entered battle carrying amulets of sardonyx engraved with Mars, the god of war, which was assumed to bestow courage in battle. It adds that in Renaissance Europe, wearing sardonyx was assumed to bestow eloquence. Those are old readings of a related stone, and the word "assumed" is Wikipedia's.
The color carries its own readings. Wikipedia's color symbolism entry says black is associated with grief in Western culture, and is also worn as a fashion statement. So a black bracelet can read as formal, as plain style or as something personal.
These are traditional and popular beliefs, not medical facts. A stone is not a treatment for any condition, and WebMD says there is no good scientific evidence for the uses claimed for crystal therapy. Wikipedia's entry also lists old medical uses for sardonyx. This guide does not repeat them.
Minerals.net says onyx has been used in jewelry and as an ornamental stone for carving since antiquity, and that it has traditionally been one of the most important engraving and cameo stones, usually a black base with a white upper layer. Minerals.net adds that onyx is a minor gemstone today, and that its significance and value have diminished compared with ancient times. Beyond that, this guide makes no claims about which ancient people wore it or why. No fetched source supports a more specific history.
Onyx is one of the harder stones in a bracelet. At 7 it sits above amazonite at 6 to 6.5, and far above howlite at 3.5 (see the crystal meanings guide for the full table). Akitai's charm bracelet collection includes the onyx charm bracelet, a stretch bracelet of matte black beads with two small tassels and gold-colored accents, according to its product photo. Since Akitai is the brand behind this site, it is our own product. Akitai's Warranty page says to keep jewelry dry and away from perfume, lotion and cleaners, and to store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sun.
Because black goes with most colors, it pairs easily with other bracelets. For ideas on combining them, see Akitai's post on stacking charm bracelets.
If you are giving onyx as a gift, say which tradition the meaning comes from and let the wearer decide what it means to her. A black bracelet can suit a formal outfit and a casual one alike.
No settled tradition is recorded for black onyx itself. Black is a color of formality and of grief in Western culture, and sardonyx has Roman and Renaissance readings. The wearer decides what it means to her.
No. Its associations are traditional beliefs, and a stone is not a treatment for any condition.
Solid black, or banded black and white. A red to brown banded variety is called sardonyx.
From the Ancient Greek word for "claw" or "fingernail", by way of Latin.
Onyx is a banded variety of agate, according to Wikipedia, and both are chalcedony. Minerals.net notes that banded black and white onyx can be classed as both.
It is 7 on the Mohs scale, per Minerals.net, which makes it one of the harder stones used in bracelets.
Available Now
Browse the full collection — free Prime shipping on eligible orders. Every purchase directly supports our artisan community.
Shop on Amazon