#11670
Onice nero

The word „onyx“ is of greek origin and means „claw“ or „fingernail“. Like agate the black or black-and-white banded mineral onyx is a variety of the oxide mineral chalcedony. Onyx is found in various regions worldwide. For centuries this gemstone has been popular for jewellery-making, hard stone carving and intaglio. In antiquity onyx was the preferred cameo stone, and also used for carving precious vessels. As side product of the Florence-based „Opificio delle pietre dure“, the famous Medici workshop specialized in inlaid precious and semi-precious stoneworks, onyx was most likely also available as pigment for the painters of the Italian Renaissance. In the past onyx was believed to protect against the black plague, witchcraft, and black magic. When finely ground the black onyx stone loses its dark color and forms a medium grey powder. The Kremer Pigmente Black Onyx pigment is suitable for all binders and highly restistant.