Sardonyx
Hardness: 7.0
Refractive Index: 1.53-1.54
Specific Gravity: 2.61
Birthstone: July, August, September
Astral Stone: Scorpio, Virgo
Origination: Pakistan, although sardonyx can be found worldwide.
Care & Cleaning: To clean, rub lightly with a soft polishing cloth. An optional dab
of olive oil will produce a beautiful shine.
Fiction, Facts & Folklore:
Sardonyx is a member of the chalcedony mineral group.
Sardonyx combines the reddish-brown color of sard with the white bands of onyx for
a most unusual and distinct look.
Sardonyx is most often seen in bead form, although some material is still seen today in the carving of artifacts, broaches and cameos. In fact, the first cameos ever found were carved from sardonyx. Sardonyx is sometimes called "the fancy wallpaper of nature".
Sardonyx was believed by early astrologers to be a gift to the earth from the planet
Saturn. This was no doubt attributed to its multi-colored bands.
Sardonyx has also been linked to the planet Mars.
This information is taken from
The sardonyx, the alternate birthstone for August, was one of the stones set into
the breastplate of the High Priest Aaron. In the Book of Revelation it is the fifth
stone in the foundation of the New Jerusalem.
This stone is multi-layered and its name is derived from that quality and the fact
that it is a reddish-brown veined onyx. The name is used incorrectly for carnelian
and, more often, for sard or carnelian onyx.
The sardonyx is known as the "gem of courage" for orators and bashful lovers. It
was said to be a charm against such assorted afflictions as warts, boils, cramps,
the evil eye and the wicked thoughts and impulses of witches.
It was a favorite gem of the ancients and many thousands of years ago the Egyptians
engraved these gems as scarabs and beetles and wore them as talismans. Roman soldiers
often wore sardonyx stones engraved with Mars, the god of war, to render them brave
and fearless in battle.
This information is taken fromAugust: Peridot or Sardonyx
Roman soldiers wore sardonyx talismans (objects
bearing a sign of astrological influence to guard from evil and bring good fortune)
engraved with heroes such as Hercules or Mars, god of war. They believed that the
stone would make the wearer as brave and daring as the figured carved on it. During
the Renaissance, sardonyx was believed to bring eloquence upon the wearer and was
regarded with great value by public speakers and orators.
Sardonyx is a variety of the silica mineral called chalcedony. This sort of mineral contains layers of tiny quartz fibers, which are stacked on top of each other to give a banded appearance. The layers in these stones range from translucent to opaque. The stones vary in color, too. They may be white or gray, ranging to many colorful varieties. Sardonyx stones usually contain flat-banded, white and brownish-red bands. The word
Sardonyx is derived from the Greek, Sard meaning "reddish brown," and onyx meaning "veined gem." The best stones are found in India. They are also found in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, and Uruguay. In the United States, sardonyx can be found in the Lake Superior region and in Oregon.
Cameos and intaglios are often carved from Sardonyx. Cameos are figures carved on a stone, where the white layer appears as relief, and the colored layer is the background. Intaglios are the reverse of cameos. They are incised figures on the stone, where the stone is carved through the dark layer to reveal the light layer.
Sardonyx is a relatively common and inexpensive gemstone. It was a favorite gemstone
in ancient times, popular not only because it was attractive, but also because it
was widely available. Unlike most rare gemstones that could only be bought with the
wealth of royalty and nobility, sardonyx could be obtained by many less-wealthy people.
Perhaps the most famous sardonyx stone was set in a gold ring, carved with the portrait
of Queen Elizabeth I of England. It was given to the Earl of Essex by the Queen as
a token of friendship, and she assured him that she would always come to his aid
if he ever requested it. The Earl, imprisoned for treason, was condemned to be beheaded.
He tried to send the ring to his Queen but it fell into the hands of Lady Nottingham,
whose husband was an enemy of the Earl of Essex. Thinking that the Earl was too proud
to ask for her mercy, the Queen allowed his execution. It wasn't until the deathbed
confession of Lady Nottingham that the Queen learned the truth, which left her heart-broken.
This information is taken fromFeature Articles: Birthstones
SARDONYX
HARDNESS; 6.5-7
CHAKRAS; 2,3
NUMEROLOGY; 3
GENERAL ATTRIBUTES
Sardonyx is warming, cleanses the liver and kidneys, and will increase the flow of
fluids in the body. It helps one to have more discipline. It helps one see the past
or future. It strengthens the heart.
It helps one see and hear more clearly. It gives one physical strength and vitality.
It gives one appreciation for everyday tasks and cycles of work and play. It helps
one relax and enjoy life more. It helps one to pace themselves with a easy and steady
rhythm of life.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
It activates the second chakra for an increase in energy, reorganizes the brain
to make repetitive work easier, strengthens
the heart.
Sardonyx is banded and comes in various color of orange to brown to blak.
This information is taken from Gemstones S-V
If you have any questions or would like further information, please Email me
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