Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-08-14
ONYX ORNAMENTS.
Whore the Stone Comes From and How
, 1t Is Cut and Colored.


II Is Cut and Colored.
Onyx is n variety of agate consist
ing of layers of varigatcd chalcedony.
arranged in parallel bands. The
colors Of the successive strata vary in
different stones. but in the typical
onyx they are black aud white. II
one of the layers consists of the brown
chalcedony known as sard or the red
variety known rs carnelian, the re-
sulting stone is termed sardonyx. 1t
was probably this kind of stone that
originally suggested the name, onyx
Qrom onux, n naiD. since the con-
trasts between its layers remotely re-
sembles that between the flesh-colorcd
part of the finger-nail and the white
tunuld at its root. When an onyx
presents thin layer of whitish chal-
cedony spread over n black ground.
the upper statum often exhibits blu
ish tinge, and collectors at the present
day term such stone nicoLo, evident
ly corruption OF the Italian dimin-
utive onico'o. or little onyx. The
principal European depots for these
stones are Idar, on the Rhine, and
Oberstoin, on the Maize. n small town
in Germany near Bingen.
Fine eayx comes from Uruguay and
Is found among the grnvsls Of the
sTarquairo and the Rio Pardo These
are known to the trade as Brazilian
agates, and it is from them that all of
Iour onyx is obtained. Tho very finest
specimens come from India. Onyx.
on account of the straight banding of
the strata, Is we'll adapted for the cut
ting of canoes and was much used
by the ancients for that purpose.
The onyx used in this city. and in
fact, throughout the United States
comes from Brazil. 1t will be news to
many to learn that black onyx is
colored artificially The original
stone is soapy white and being
homogeneous In parts. more readily
:absorbs the different ingredients that
go to make up its new dress. The
lapidaries who perform the work of
cutting these stones. live in Germany,
10 which place the New York manu-
iacturer sends his different models in
WOOD OF brass, or even an occasional
drawing of the particular kind of jew
elry he has orders for. The rock is
broken into pieces and the better por-
uons reserved Tor the coloring process.
AJohn street manufacturer Informed a
reporter That Often out OF one ton OF
agate shipped from Brazil to Ger
many at The expense OF the owner.
not more than hity pounds were fit for
USE alH thus u can be seen how very
expensive onyx becomes when made
up INTO Jewelry' p
Inc cosiiiest parts OF inc agate hav-
ing Deeh PicKeu out, they are then
Dolled IN an IRON pot Tor thirty hours.
INTO wilich had Deen previously placed
equal quantities OF money ana sui
phuric aciu' Inc Doilihg process en-
aDIes inc Two ingredients TO carbonize,
ana hencc we nave INC black appear
ance' Some oil The agales are Won
daiully compact frequently stone
one ana one-haIi inches IN diameter,
after having been Doiled Tor two days.
VIII exhiDll' when broken up Tor use,
small White spot III It's heart thus
showing inc FneSSe OF It's texture.
olyx Is principally used Tor mourning
lewelry' ana IL made INTO lace-pins,
brooches, earrings collar buttons,
studs sleeve-llnks' scartplns' breast
pins, watch chains, chatelaincS and
bracelets The manufacturer showed
bracelet cut IN oberstein'
and containing hfty-iour different
pieces, tho cost OF which was $40. In