Our next publication under the heading  “Stone mascot of the Month" is about the August onyx. Onyx is a semi-precious stone, the main distinguishing feature of which is its flat, multi-coloured parallel layers. The thinner the stripes, the more valuable the stone. The ancient Greeks believed that this stone was a piece of nail of the Goddess of beauty Aphrodite (the name onyx comes from the Greek “ὄνυξ” – nail). Legends tell that one day her son Eros, the God of love, was playing with his arrows near his sleeping mother. During one such game, one of the arrows grazed the goddess's fingernail and cut off a piece of it, which fell from Olympus and landed in the world of humans.

Onyx is a variety of chalcedony. In many respects, it resembles granite and marble, but excels them in frost resistance, hardness and water absorption.

The first attempts to mine onyx were made as early as the 5^th century BC in Egypt and Babylon. A little later, deposits were discovered in Greece and Rome, where the mineral is still mined nowadays. Deposits of the mineral are found in almost every country in the world. Rather large deposits of onyx were found in Afghanistan, Mexico, Turkey, Pakistan and Iran. Russian deposits are not as rich and are located in Chukotka, Kolyma, and Primorsky Krai.

The origin of onyx can be easily explained by modern science – this mineral is formed by the layering of carbonate minerals in hot springs.

It is formed in high-temperature thermal springs, during the eruption of volcanic lava, including oceanic lava, and less frequently in low-temperature springs, but each of the resulting kinds will differ in colour. Calcite types of onyx are widespread and are among the most accessible and inexpensive decorative and ornamental materials. They are widely used in mass-produced household items and large-sized ones: all kinds of small and medium-sized statuary, vases, caskets, candlesticks, tabletops. It is also used in mosaics and lining. Onyx is often used to carve a variety of jewellery items, with the rarest and highest quality types of onyx being used for the most exquisite pieces.

There are many beliefs about the magical proprieties of onyx. It is believed that the stone is useful to strong people, with determined character and goal commitment, since it brings stability and "power of reason" in life, helps to concentrate and gain patience. It is a stone of invincible warriors that know how to defend their interests. Onyx is considered a powerful life talisman. It can turn away the evil eye from its owner, guard against negative thoughts, conspiracy and other magical rituals. The gemstone helps to overcome enmity by strengthening the a person’s energy field.

Onyx is a mineral that has earned people's appreciation for a reason. In the zodiacal circle, onyx is perfect for the sign of August, Leo. The stone will channel his energy in the right direction and make him master up his energy on achieving the desired result.

In the wild, the mineral is found in almost all shades of colour. The most widespread are: black onyx (Arabic), orange-red or brown stone, green onyx (mineral), white gem (with milky or delicate pink hue); brown, pink, blue, yellow and beige minerals.

Thematic photo album “Onyx – stone mascot of August” is posted in the museum Photo Gallery.