14×10 mm oval green onyx cabochon with a mirror polished finish. Opaque chalcedony in a uniform green tone, flat back. Classic format for a ring or pendant with a 925 silver setting. Stock acquired from a wholesale lapidary market.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Green Onyx (Chalcedony, cryptocrystalline SiO₂) |
| Dimensions |
14×10 mm oval · tolerance ±0.5 mm |
| Shape and Back |
Oval, flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polished |
| Hardness |
6.5 – 7 Mohs — we recommend bezel setting |
| Origin |
Material acquired from a wholesale lapidary market |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Piece Type |
Stock — uniform color pieces |
This particular piece
The 14×10 mm format is the most widely used oval cabochon in medium-sized artisan jewelry: large enough to be the central element of a ring or pendant without dominating the overall design. The green tone of green onyx varies between saturated meadow green and forest green depending on the batch; the color is uniform throughout the mineral section. The mirror finish enhances the saturation of the green by eliminating surface light scattering.
How the color in green onyx is formed
Chalcedony is silicon dioxide (SiO₂) with a cryptocrystalline structure — quartz fibers so fine they cannot be distinguished individually under a conventional magnifying glass. The green color in chalcedony marketed as "green onyx" can have two origins: natural, due to chlorite or chromite inclusions during the formation of the siliceous nodule; or by impregnation with chromium or nickel salts, a standard lapidary technique similar to the treatment of black onyx. In both cases, the resulting mineral is chalcedony with identical physical properties. The color is stable and does not fade with use or exposure to light.
What setting it works for
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Bezel setting (925 silver or other precious metals) — The green of the onyx contrasts well with bright silver and.
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Solitaire rings / Central pendants — The 14×10 mm size is the reference standard for.
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Wire wrap — Green onyx accepts wire wrapping well.
Green onyx in the history of jewelry
Green chalcedony has been a prized gemstone since antiquity: green chalcedony seals and cameos dating back to the second millennium BC have been recovered from sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. In Italian Renaissance jewelry, master goldsmiths from Florence and Milan used green chalcedony (then called "chrysoprase" or "prase") in gold settings as a more accessible alternative to emerald. In contemporary artisan jewelry, green onyx is one of the most sought-after stones for its clean chromaticism and affordable price compared to rarer green varieties.
In crystal tradition, green onyx is associated with balance and growth. It is symbolically linked to nature and renewal, and is used in meditation practices aimed at emotional stability.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.
How to recognize quality green onyx
Good quality green onyx exhibits a uniform color without visible streaks or discolored areas to the naked eye. The mirror finish must be consistent across the entire convex surface without matte areas. Under 10x magnification, chalcedony shows a homogeneous texture without pores or microfractures. Imitations in green glass are noticeably colder to the touch for longer and under magnification show micro-bubbles or flow lines. Glass is also lighter: chalcedony has a density of ~2.60 g/cm³, soda-lime glass ~2.50 g/cm³.
Frequently asked questions
Is the green color natural or treated?
No detectable treatment. Statement based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification. The green color in commercial chalcedony can be of natural origin or by treatment.
Are the dimensions exact?
14×10 mm with a tolerance of ±0.5 mm due to being lapidary stock without industrial micrometric calibration.
Can I use it in an everyday ring?
Yes, with normal caution. With a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7, it resists everyday use better than feldspars or calcite. Avoid direct blows to the edge and store separately from harder minerals.
