Handcrafted pendant featuring an oval black onyx set in a 925 sterling silver bezel, surrounded by a crown of hand-soldered silver spheres, and finished with a larger sphere at the bottom, measuring 29 × 18 × 7 mm. The deep black of the stone and the cool luminosity of the metal create a clean contrast — a unisex piece that works equally well in a formal setting or for everyday wear.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Black Onyx (dyed chalcedony, black variety) |
| Piece Dimensions |
29 × 18 × 7 mm (bezel and spheres included) |
| Stone Shape |
Oval |
| Metal |
925 Sterling Silver |
| Chain |
Stainless steel, 45 cm included |
| Metal Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Stone Hardness |
6.5–7 Mohs |
| Stone Treatment |
No detectable treatment |
| Type of Piece |
Unique piece |
The Design: Bezel with Sphere Crown
The black onyx oval is framed in a silver bezel that follows its perimeter with precise fitting. Around the bezel, a crown of silver spheres, hand-soldered one by one, creates a regularly rhythmic frame — a silversmithing technique that adds texture without distracting from the black-silver contrast, which is the central visual argument of this piece. A larger sphere at the bottom closes the composition and balances the design's weight.
The spheres are soldered directly onto the frame, forming a structural part of the jewelry. The 29 × 18 mm dimension is sufficiently present without being excessive; the mirror finish of the silver amplifies the jet-black of the stone, making the piece work well both as formal jewelry and as an everyday accessory.
Black Onyx
Onyx is a variety of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂) characterized by its parallel banding structure. Black onyx exhibits a deep dark hue and a polish that can achieve a very intense shine — two qualities that have made it popular in jewelry since ancient times. Mineralogically, onyx is trigonal in its crystalline structure and has a compact and homogeneous texture, making it particularly suitable for bezel work and for clean design pieces where solid color is the main visual argument.
With a hardness of 6.5–7 Mohs, black onyx is comfortable for frequently worn jewelry. The mirror finish it accepts is especially effective in pieces that play with the contrast between the dark stone and the shiny metal, like this pendant.
Onyx in Lapidary Tradition
Black onyx is one of the stones with the most historical presence in funerary jewelry and protective amulets. In classical Rome, it was used in cameos and seals, and in ancient Egypt, onyx pieces were carved for funerary trousseaux.
In crystal tradition, black onyx is associated with protection, grounding, and clarity under pressure — a stone for those who need to focus and not be scattered.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to Recognize Genuine Black Onyx
Genuine treated black onyx (which is the norm in the industry) has a uniform black color and a mirror polish that can be very bright. Unlike black glass, black onyx has a hardness that prevents it from being scratched by a coin but not by a steel file. Under magnification, treated chalcedony may show a slightly grainy texture or the characteristic microfractures of natural stone, which glass does not have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the black onyx in this pendant treated?
No detectable treatment. The intense and uniform black of the stone is the natural hue of this chalcedony. Statement based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification.
Are the spheres solid silver or plated?
The spheres are solid 925 sterling silver, soldered directly onto the bezel frame. They are not plated or dipped spheres.
What chain is included?
A 45 cm stainless steel chain is included. If you prefer a 925 sterling silver chain or a different length, please consult us before placing your order.
More about onyx: properties, meaning, and history. See also: handcrafted pendants · silver rings.
