Onyx is a silicate, parallel banded mineral of layered chalcedony. No bands are visible in these stones and they are a uniform black colour. Agate and Onyx are both forms of banded chalcedony which are translucent in thin slices. This translucent nature is a feature which distinguishes agate and onyx from jasper (jasper is always opaque meaning that light does not pass though it). Due to the thickness of these stones they appear opaque and only thin slices of the stones will appear translucent.

These stones have been fully tumbled to develop a smooth polished finish.

Pure onyx with distinct parallel bands is rare and valuable but almost all of it sold is fake having been modified by dyeing or treating other parallel banded stones. These stones are genuine onyx but lack distinct parallel bands. They are predominantly uniform black. (Highly valuable onyx is white with distinct black parallel bands.)

Size Small 1: Flattish stones with length 7-15mm and average length about 10mm.

Small stones are ideal for use in resin art.

All our products should be kept out of reach of children under 5 years and anybody who may tend to place items or liquids in their mouths should be supervised. Even packing can become a choking hazard.