Black Onyx

Lately, I have been using black onyx in some of my designs. I like using the deep, black smooth stone because of its classic simplicity and besides everyone needs to have some black jewels in their wardrobe...its just a basic color that works with so much. So I decided to do some research on this stone and read about the legend regarding black onyx.
Apparently,Aphrodite, the goddess of love, lay in a deep slumber on the banks of the river, when a playful Eros (Cupid) decided to give her an impromptu manicure with one of his trademark arrowheads! The freshly clipped fingernails rolled down the bank and into the Indus River, where they sank to the bottom. Here, they were magically transformed by Zeus' three daughters, The Fates, into splendid black quartz. Thus, 'onyx' (a word roughly translated as 'nail' or 'claw') was born.

Another similar version said it was Venus, who had her fingernails clipped by the naughty Eros, and they were scattered to the beaches of the earth. Anyhow, cupid clipped some goddesses' nails and apparently that is how black onyx came to be! I love mythology! Black onyx is said to be the most powerful protection stone, protecting from negative energy, as well as being a grounding stone which is helpful in difficult, stressful and confusing times in our lives. It is also helpful to those who are in the process of letting go, either in relationships, or in attatchments to places and things. Having a seventh anniversary? Well black onyx is the anniversary gemstone for the seventh year of marriage. But watch out...it is said to decrease sexual desire...oh no!
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