# Onyx

Onyx is a smooth, shiny stone that can be black or striped! It's a favorite for making beautiful decorations.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

![Onyx](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425879/objects/5383.jpg)

## Appearance

The Onyx is a deep black mineral, often with striking parallel white or light-colored bands. Unlike agates which have curved bands, onyx bands are straight. It can also appear reddish-brown, known as Sardonyx.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Romans carved onyx with images of gods and heroes!
- Onyx is a fancy type of quartz made of super tiny crystals!
- The word 'onyx' comes from ancient Greek, meaning 'fingernail'!
- You can find onyx in famous jewelry and even in palaces!

## Special abilities

- **Master Carver:** Onyx has a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7 that makes it durable and perfect for intricate carvings.
- **Color Transformer:** Onyx has a porous structure that allows it to absorb dyes, making its natural colors even richer.
- **Reflect Light:** Onyx has a fine-grained texture that allows it to be polished to a beautiful, reflective shine.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** black, white, brown, red
- **Hardness:** 6.5
- **Luster:** waxy to dull
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.65
- **Crystal System:** Trigonal

## Traits

- [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
- [Banded](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/banded): Banded describes rocks or minerals characterized by distinct parallel layers or streaks of differing composition, color, or texture.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Onyx?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Onyx be?

black, white, brown, red

### How hard is Onyx?

6.5

### What kind of luster does Onyx have?

waxy to dull

### What is Onyx's specific gravity?

2.65

### What crystal system does Onyx belong to?

Trigonal

## Where to spot

- [Kentucky Down Under](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-down-under) — Kentucky, US · Zoo

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Onyx: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/onyx)