Exhibit 23

 

**Consent of Independent Auditors**

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in thefollowing Registration Statements and Post-Effective Amendments of our report dated February 14, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Oglebay Norton Company included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year endedDecember 31, 2002: 

 

RegistrationStatement Number 33-58819 on Form S-8 dated April 26, 1995, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company Director Stock Plan; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 to Registration Statement Number 33-58819 on Form S-8 dated February 22, 2000,pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company Director Stock Plan; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 2 to Registration Statement Number 33-58819 on Form S-8 dated May 11, 2001, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company Director Stock Plan; 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-02781 onForm S-8 dated April 24, 1996, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company Long-Term Incentive Plan; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 to Registration Statement Number 333-02781 on Form S-8 dated August 3, 1999, pertainingto the Oglebay Norton Company Long-Term Incentive Plan; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 2 to Registration Statement Number 333-02781 on Form S-8 dated May 11, 2001, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company Long-Term Incentive Plan; 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-84243 onForm S-8 dated August 2, 1999, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan and Option Agreements with Two Executive Officers; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 to Registration Statement Number 333-84243 on Form S-8 dated May 11, 2001, pertainingto the Oglebay Norton Company 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan and Option Agreements with Two Executive Officers; 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-75225 on Form S-8 dated March 29, 1999, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton CompanyPerformance Option Agreement; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 to Registration Statement Number 333-75225 on Form S-8 dated May 11, 2001, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company Performance Option Agreement; 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-75223 onForm S-8 dated March 29, 1999, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company Director Fee Deferral Plan; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 to Registration Statement Number 333-75223 on Form S-8 dated May 11, 2001, pertainingto the Oglebay Norton Company Director Fee Deferral Plan; 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-75221 on Form S-8 dated March 29, 1999, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Incentive Savings and Stock Ownership Plan; 

 

Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 toRegistration Statement Number 333-75221 on Form S-8 dated May 11, 2001, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Incentive Savings and Stock Ownership Plan; 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-60844 on Form S-8 dated May 14, 2001, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton IncentiveSavings and Stock Ownership Plan; 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-53534 on Form S-4 dated January 11, 2001, pertaining to ON Minerals Company, Inc. (now known as Oglebay Norton Company, an Ohio corporation); 

 

Amendment Number 1 to Registration StatementNumber 333-53534 on Form S-4 dated March 8, 2001, pertaining to ON Minerals Company, Inc.; and 

 

Registration Statement Number 333-98157 on Form S-8 dated August 15, 2002, pertaining to the Oglebay Norton Company 2002Stock Option Plan. 

 

RegistrationStatement on Form S-8 dated February 28, 2003, pertaining to the Restricted Stock Award to John N. Lauer. 

 

 

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP 

 

 

Cleveland, Ohio 

February 25, 2003