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Onyx is one of the wonders of the world
said John Ruskin, the English writer, philosopher and eclectic of the Victorian era, describing the onyx marble used to decorate Saint Peter’s Basilica in Italy.
Since its origins, according to Greek mythological beliefs, this stone is exceptional. Legend has it that
Onyx was created by Cupid, who cut the nails of Venus while she deeply slept spreading them on the floor. The Fates, after finding them, turned them into precious gems. Precisely for this reason, the appearance of this precious stone recalls that of nails.
The generic term
Onyx refers to two different types of natural stone.
Silica Onyx is a variety of chalcedony of opaque or semi-opaque color, which usually covers the entire range of grays up to black.
Calcareous Onyx is instead the one we know for the coverings, which is presented in many vibrant colors and is mainly composed of calcium carbonate. It is a fine and delicate material, translucent, very compact and backlit.
According to geological standards, onyx is a rather young rock. It is mainly found in areas of Cenozoic volcanism and is deposited thanks to the circulation of thermal waters rich in calcium bicarbonate.
The stone is assembled in translucent horizontal layers and wrapped in tones that vary depending on the amount of impurities.
Color is determined by the amount and composition of impurities. The traces of iron give yellow, brown and red shades, copper accentuates green, the darker shades are instead influenced by the presence of magnesium.
Being a material of sedimentary origin, it often has joints, voids and mineral breaks that require resins and reinforcing screens. In addition, its weather resistance is rather poor, which is why it is not particularly suitable for outdoor use.
Onyx is particularly loved for its aesthetic and mechanical characteristics: it is characterized by hardness and resistance, high durability, shock and abrasion resistance, waterproofness and its low refractive index that allow light to penetrate into the structure of the stone.
The average values of the physical properties of onyx are as follows:
- Density: 2650-2900 kg/m3
- Compressive strength: 50-110 MPa
- Abrasion: 1.0 - 1.8 g/cm2
- Water absorption 0.1-0.35%
For all these characteristics onyx is the first choice of architects and designers for elegant and luxury furnishings, sculptures, decorations, finishes, coverings, kitchen and bathroom tops.
Elite Stone boasts a wide selection of exotic colored onyxes. Click
this link to discover it.
Onyx is a stone of health, peace stability. Absorbs diseases, conflicts, helps to survive difficult times.
N.M. Lapina
