Rich, reddish-brown sardonyx is the traditional birthstone for August and a classic that has been worn in jewelry and seal rings for thousands of years. Prized in ancient Greece for its ability to enhance courage and to protect against danger, sardonyx was often carved with emblems of the gods and was worn by soldiers and politicians alike.
Red Striped Sardonyx
Sardonyx is a form of the mineral chalcedony, the same silica mineral from which clear quartz is made. What differentiates sardonyx from the many varieties of quartz is its color, a dull brown or red-brown with bands of white, paler brown, or red. These layers and bands can be opaque or clear, but if their colors tend toward black and grey the stone is called simply onyx.
Sardonyx has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale and its chemical properties are very similar to other forms of quartz. Reddish bands are usually a very hard form of carnelian or sard, another stone from the quartz family.
Sardonyx in Myth and History
According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, the name sardonyx is derived from Sardis or Sardes, the capital city of ancient Lydia (now the western part of Turkey), where sardonyx was first found by the Greeks.
Sardonyx and other onyx were used by the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks in building, art and jewelry, including seals, rings and cameos. The Egyptians wore scarabs carved of sardonyx for good luck, and the mineral was engraved with the symbols or images of Greek and Roman gods like Mars and Ares and carried into battle to ensure courage and victory. Sardonyx was also believed to lend the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness to Renaissance politicians and leaders.
Magical Significance and Powers of Sardonyx
Like most gemstones, sardonyx has been attributed with a long list of healing and magical powers. Sardonyx is said to:
- protect against plagues
- protect against reptile and insect bites
- eliminate negative thinking
- sharpen the mind and help bring passions and impulses under control
- aid restful sleep
- promote happiness in marriage and relationships
- strengthen the heart, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels, hair, and nails
- provide courage, peace and luck
- aid in legal matters
Sardonyx is the traditional birthstone for the month of August (the modern birthstone for August is peridot) and of the astrology sign Leo.
Sardonyx Gemstone in Jewelry
With its unique banding and smooth finish, sardonyx looks luxurious but is inexpensive, making it a popular choice in jewelry. It is usually cut in cabochon or worn in strings of beads, and is sometimes contrasted against white or pink pearls. Although there is some genuine sardonyx available, most of the sardonyx used in modern jewelry is produced by staining agate, another semi-precious quartz stone, the color of sardonyx.
Like dark onyx, sardonyx also appears frequently in classic-looking pins and brooches, and any large carved design in a banded brown or reddish stone is usually made from sardonyx. Sardonyx is found in India, Germany, Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Brazil and the U.S.
Reference
- All That Gifts, "Birthstones: Onyx, Sardonyx," All-That-Gifts.com, 2005.
- Lane, Andrew and Leah, "Gem of the Month: Sardonyx," Aussie Sapphire.wordpress.com, 2006.
- Thiagem, "Sardonyx," Thiagem.com, 2009.
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