What Is Onyx?
Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, a form of microcrystalline quartz. In its most familiar form, it's a solid, glossy black, though the onyx family also includes green onyx and the brown-and-white layered stone many people know as sardonyx. Because it takes such a high polish and wears so well, onyx has been a favorite for beads, cabochons, and carvings for centuries. Its durability (around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale) makes it a practical choice for pieces you plan to wear every day.
Onyx Bead Colors and Types You'll Find Here
Our onyx bead range focuses on the varieties designers ask for most:
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Black Onyx: The classic. Deep, uniform black with a mirror-like polish, perfect for elegant, minimalist designs and bold statement strands.
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Green Onyx: A fresh, translucent green that reads like a softer alternative to emerald. Beautiful in bezel-set focals and micro-faceted rondelles.
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Black Chalcedony: A close cousin of black onyx from the same mineral family, offered in select leafed pendant styles.
A quick, honest note on treatment: most solid black onyx on the market (ours included) is naturally gray or banded chalcedony that has been dyed and heat-stabilized to achieve its rich, even black. This is a long-accepted, industry-standard practice, and the color is permanent. Our green onyx is likewise color-enhanced for consistency. We'd rather you know exactly what you're buying.
Shapes and Finishes for Every Design
You'll find onyx beads and focal components in a wide mix of cuts, so your design can flow from concept to finished piece without hunting across ten suppliers. The collection includes faceted rounds, coins, rondelles, cubes, pears, hearts, marquise, tubes, carved leaves and melons, spikes, and fancy-shape collars. Many pieces come as bezel-set and gold- or silver-leafed focal pendants in vermeil, sterling silver, and black gold, ready to become the centerpiece of an earring or pendant. Prefer to buy by the strand or in small focal sets? Both are here, in sizes from petite 4mm accents up to dramatic 40mm statement drops.
Why Buy Your Onyx Beads From Us
Every strand is hand-selected and quality-checked under the supervision of our in-house graduate gemologist, so the grading you see is the grading you get. Because we source directly from miners and cutting partners, we can keep grading consistent and pricing fair, whether you're buying a single strand or ordering onyx beads wholesale for production. Beads of Cambay is a family-run business that has served jewelry designers for years, and we treat your projects with the same care we'd want for our own.
How to Choose the Right Onyx Beads
Think about the role the bead will play. For strung necklaces and bracelets, smooth or faceted rounds in 6mm to 10mm are the everyday workhorses. For earrings, lightweight pears, hearts, and marquise drops catch the light without weighing the ear down. If you want a single hero element, reach for a bezel-set or leafed focal pendant. And if you're mixing metals, black onyx pairs cleanly with silver, gold, and rose gold alike, which is part of why it's such a reliable staple to keep in your studio.
Onyx Beads - Frequently Asked Questions
Are Your Onyx Beads Natural?
Yes, they're natural chalcedony. As is standard across the industry, our solid black and green onyx is color-enhanced (dyed and stabilized) for an even, permanent finish. The stone itself is genuine, not glass or plastic.
What Size Onyx Beads Should I Buy for a Bracelet?
For most adult bracelets, 6mm and 8mm rounds are the sweet spot. They're substantial enough to show the stone's polish while still comfortable to wear and easy to string on standard elastic or beading wire.
Can I Order Onyx Beads Wholesale?
Absolutely. Our direct sourcing lets us offer fair wholesale pricing, and many strands and focal sets are ready to buy in quantity. If you design and sell your own jewelry, you're exactly who we built this collection for.
How Do I Care for Onyx Jewelry?
Keep it simple: wipe beads with a soft, damp cloth and avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Onyx is durable, but gentle care keeps that signature glossy finish looking its best.
Ready to start? Browse the full onyx selection above and find the gemstone beads your next design has been waiting for.
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