Knowledge Centre > Gemmology > Gemstones > Onyx

Onyx - a veratile material

Article from Berganza


Vintage Cartier coral and onyx ring berganza hatton garden
Cartier coral and onyx ring, French, circa 1975.
Ref: 26787

Onyx is an opaque black variety of polycrystalline chalcedony quartz. It has a very fine, smooth texture ideal for carving. As such, onyx has been used for thousands of years to make figurines of the gods and heroes and for ceremonies and burials, to make beads for necklaces and later in fine jewellery to create elegance and to beautifully offset the intense sparkle of diamonds.

Some onyx also displays white bands or ribbons against a black background. If the layers are even, this type of onyx can be carved into cameos, producing a contrasting white relief over black. This banded onyx was very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans in seal rings.

In more recent history, black onyx rose to popularity in Victorian times for necklaces, rings and earrings. This popularity is attributed to the Victorian ritual of mourning, in which those who had lost loved ones could only wear the colour black. Following the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s mourning played an important part in the fashion for black clothes and jewellery throughout the mid-Victorian period, both in mourning dress and also in everyday wear.

Moving into the 1920s and 30s, onyx provides a striking contrast when paired with diamonds or rock crystal and exudes elegance in Art Deco designs. In jewellery design as in fashion, colours look crisper against a black background. The fact that onyx can be cut into almost any shape makes it ideal for dramatic Art Deco jewellery, particularly when a flat geometric form is required in the design.

At Berganza we have a wide range of beautiful antique jewellery featuring this versatile material, from Roman onyx seal rings and gentleman’s dress sets to mourning jewellery and fabulous Art Deco onyx and diamond rings. Choose your favourite style from our selection of the very best from each period.

Van Cleef & Arpels onyx and diamond 'Philippine' ring, French, circa 1960.  Hatton Garden
Van Cleef & Arpels onyx and diamond 'Philippine' ring, French, circa 1970.
Ref: 25900
Antique onyx and diamond Brooch berganza hatton garden
Antique agate and diamond brooch with locket back, circa 1860.
Ref: 25371
antique onyx diamond ring hatton garden berganza
Art Deco diamond and onyx cluster ring, circa 1925.
Ref: 25616
Art Deco onyx and diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1920. Hatton Garden
Art Deco onyx and diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1920.
Ref: 26786
Art Deco onyx, diamond emerald brooch berganza hatton garden
Art Deco onyx, diamond and emerald brooch, circa 1925.
Ref: 25370
Art Deco onyx and diamond ring berganza hatton garden
Art Deco onyx and diamond ring, circa 1935.
Ref: 14444
Onyx gentleman's dress set berganza hatton garden
Onyx gentleman's dress set, circa 1920.
Ref: 25318
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Updated 28/03/2024 at 3:00PM

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