Amazon.com Product Description
Steeped in black, you'll be sure to make a great impression when wearing the Sterling Silver Checkerboard Cut Onyx and Marcasite Ladies Ring. Splendid and ornate, this ring has a lot to offer. The ring is composed of beautiful sterling silver and features a large checkerboard-cut onyx gemstone as its centerpiece in a four-prong setting. The onyx is set into an ornate sterling silver halo that offers up gorgeous, round-cut marcasite gemstones all around the onyx. This halo is bookended by two more onyx gems, which also sit in four-prong settings and are accented by the lovely marcasite. The black onyx gems play very nicely with the sterling silver and the marcasite. The whole thing might be taken to another level if paired with some black patent leather shoes and an onyx bracelet.
About Onyx Jewelry
A variant of the Agate gemstone and composed from Chalcedony, Onyx is available is a variety of colors. The gemstone has a long history of being used in jewelry and art and first grew in popularity with the ancient Romans and Greeks. Its name is Greek in origin and means nail or claw. This is derived from the ancient Greek story of a Cupid who cut the fingernails off of the goddess Venus with an arrowhead. The clippings fell to the ground and turned into dark stone in hopes that they would never vanish, preserving her heavenly powers.
Today, the black color is the most popular variety of Onyx. Its shiny finish and fine texture makes it easy to carve into a wide range of shapes, allowing it to be intricately represented in a variety of jewelry styles.
Caring For Your Onyx Jewelry
Like all other natural stones, Onyx can be damaged if not cared for properly. Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, drying after washing. Avoid scratches by storing separate from other jewelry. Avoid exposure to oils, perfumes, and chemicals that may affect the stones vivid color.