Green Onyx: History, Meanings, Symbolism, Healing Properties, & More

Introduction

The onyx stone comes in a wide variety of colors, like black, green, orange, red, etc. Among its different colors, the green onyx is a chalcedony variety that is known for its gorgeous green to cyan colors. Because this is a chalcedony variety, it is essentially a silicate mineral and a form of macrocrystalline quartz, which is highly revered for its various healing properties and beautifully lined color banding. Other macrocrystalline quartz varieties include carnelian, jasper, bloodstone, and citrine. Have you ever thought why, even though both onyx and agate have banding, and even though they are chalcedonies, they are different? Well, it’s because agate has curved color banding, whereas the bandings of onyx are flat.

Coming to onyx’s zodiac associations, it is associated with the Leo zodiac sign, and it helps the indecisive Leos who get consumed in self-doubt to make rational, logical decisions that are not impulsive. Also, onyx is the modern February birthstone, so if you want to gift your friend (who is born in February) some gemstone jewelry, you can gift him green onyx jewelry. In this blog, we are going to talk about various things surrounding green onyx, such as its history, meaning, symbolism, and healing properties. So, stay tuned!

Green Onyx History: Different Perspectives of Different Cultures

The name “onyx” was coined by Pliny the Elder in 77 AD, and different cultures had different associations, positive as well as negative, with the onyx stone. For instance, in China, people would avoid coming in contact with this stone because they thought that it brought bad luck and misfortune, and they believed that this stone had a demonic influence that could make the wearer argumentative.

People of the Victorian era linked the green onyx stone with sadness and grief, which was why it was common to wear onyx jewelry in sad times, like someone’s funeral or divorce. Did you know that when Queen Victoria I’s spouse died in the 1960s, her attire that she wore to express sadness included black onyx and green onyx jewelry? These were the statement jewelry pieces, which can today be found in British Museums.

But not all associations of green onyx were negative. Ancient Indians, for instance, believed that this stone had protective powers, and they gifted green onyx jewelry to their spouses so as to show the deep affection they had in their hearts. Also, in some ancient Indian texts, green onyx jewelry symbolizes romantic partnerships. Similarly, in ancient Egypt, green onyx was believed to be a protective stone, which would invite grounding and centeredness in the user’s life.

Green Onyx Meaning and Symbolism

It’s clear that what green stands for in the name “green onyx” – it stands for the onyx’s color. However, many people do not know the meaning and origin of the word “onyx.” The term “onyx” is a Latin word that roughly translates to fingernail or claw. Also, onyx, which is similar to the Greek word “onux,” has an important place in Greek mythology. According to this myth, the onyx stone was formed out of the fingernail of the Goddess of Beauty, Aphrodite. Legend claims that when Aphrodite was sleeping near a river, her son, Eros, used his arrow to cut her fingernail. As this nail fell into the Indus river beside her, and turned into onyx.

Green onyx symbolizes willpower, strength, and discipline, like all the other onyx varieties. This onyx variety stimulates these traits by directing the heart energies. Wearing green onyx jewelry, like a green onyx ring, regularly not only soothes one’s heart but also makes the wearer calmer and relaxed. Also, the green onyx stone is linked with planet Mercury, which is known to symbolize intelligence, greater cognitive abilities, elevated mental power, and improved memory. Also, if you are someone who wishes to speak the truth while staying at the heart center, you can use green onyx. Green onyx is said to stimulate the heart and align it with the brain, which is why the user gets powerful and illuminating realizations as they use this stone.

Green Onyx Facts and Stone Specifications

1. Chemical Formula: SiO2 (in other words, Silicon dioxide)

2. Hardness: Ranges between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs Scale, and thus, this stone is considerably durable for making durable green onyx jewelry, like green onyx pendants, earrings, and bracelets.

3. Luster: When mined, green onyx shows a waxy to silky luster, but when polished, this stone shows a glassy luster.

4. Crystal System: Trigonal, which is the sub-system of the hexagonal crystal system.

5. Transparency: Translucent to opaque

6. Density: 2.65 to 2.91 grams per cubic centimeter

7. Refractive Index: 1.54 to 1.66

8. Cleavage: None

Green Onyx Healing Properties and Benefits You Can Expect

Green onyx has many healing properties that can benefit the body as well as the mind. Let us go over some of these healing properties one by one:

1. Wearing green onyx jewelry, like green onyx bracelets, is said to regulate the flow of blood in the whole body, thus facilitating the sufficient supply of nutrients and glucose to different tissues and cells of the body. Also, green onyx stimulates nerve endings, and it repairs the tissues while reversing the aging of different organs.

2. Green onyx is said to combat the deficiency of calcium, thus treating osteoporosis and weak bones. As your bones strengthen, you are able to lead an active lifestyle. It also increases the flexibility of joints and cartilage. Last but not least, green onyx helps people dealing with bone marrow diseases by killing the bacteria that cause infection in cells of bone marrow.

3. Wearing green onyx earrings is said to improve the endocrine system, thus regulating the levels of various hormones in the blood, stimulating growth hormones, and increasing metabolism. This is why, as you wear green onyx jewelry, your weakness is reduced, and you no longer feel fatigued.

4. Green onyx is a great crystal for improving the immune system – it increases the WBC count inside the blood, and it also heals the lymph nodes, where white blood cells are formed. Thus, wearing green onyx jewelry increases your body’s natural ability to fight infections, viruses, and bacteria.

Conclusion

Did you enjoy reading this blog on green onyx? Up until this point, we have discussed everything you need to know about green onyx, from its history, meaning, and symbolism to interesting facts and the healing properties of this stone. If you are thinking of purchasing green onyx jewelry, like green onyx pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets, you can purchase them from Sagacia Jewelry.

At Sagacia Jewelry, we deal in a wide variety of green onyx jewelry, and other than green onyx, we sell dainty earrings and dainty pendants of various stones such as green kyanite, moonstone, amethyst, Opal, and Swiss blue topaz. You would be happy to know that all our statement jewelry and dainty jewelry, which is a part of our 925 sterling silver jewelry collection, is made out of natural stones that are all sourced ethically. As you browse Sagacia’s gemstone jewelry collection, you will find that its pieces are highly affordable and a great choice to satisfy your daily requirements for fashion accessories. Purchase from Sagacia now!