It’s definitely time to start writing Gemstone of the Day articles again, and I thought I’d begin with a fairly well-known gemstone: onyx.
Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. It occurs in pretty much any color you can imagine, and it is commonly banded. Onyx with red banding is called sardonyx. Solid black onyx is perhaps the best-known variety of onyx. Onyx has a hardness of 7 on Moh’s hardness scale.
The name onyx is often erroneously applied to banded calcite found. True onyx can be easily distinguished from this impostor by its hardness. Calcite is much softer than onyx.
One of my latest creations: wire-wrapped faceted black onyx necklace with a wire wrapped labradorite pendant. I discussed labradorite earlier in my Gemstone series.
There’s still time to join the Winter Beading Challenge, by the way. I know I mention this quite frequently, but I’m really excited about it, so I don’t think I can be blamed for talking about it so much.
Question of the Day: If you could train your pets to do one thing to help out around the house, what would it be?
micheledodge
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Very pretty and elegant. Great for wearing on a night on the town or a dinner party.
This is a beautiful class piece. Black jewelry always stays in style.
http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.html
If my cat could change her own litter that would be enough help to me.
Onyx is amazing by the way, I used to wear a lot of onyx and jet. Those both have great energy.
-Jaye
Thank you, Cathy! I had that necklace in mind for months before I had the time to actually make it. How gratifying to finally be able to do that!
Good answer on the pets. 🙂
I think if I could train my cats, I would toilet-train them. Doing away with litter boxes would make my life so much better! Oh, and I’d train them to wash dishes too.
that is a gorgeous stone and beautiful necklace!
i don’t have pets but i would be happy if i could train anyone to cook dinner and do the ironing!!