Onyx is not an expensive stone—it is a variety of chalcedony with widely available deposits, so the raw material itself costs a fraction of what sapphire or ruby does, and finished onyx jewelry starts at PLN 110 from us. The price on the tag is determined primarily by what happens to the stone afterward: the cut, the setting, and the number of hours of the craftsperson’s work.
Table of contents
- What is onyx, and what determines its price?
- How much does onyx cost? Raw material versus finished jewelry
- What increases the value of onyx?
- Onyx — the meaning of the stone in tradition and lithotherapy
- How can you tell whether onyx is genuine?
- Onyx Compared with Other Stones
- Is onyx expensive in artisan jewelry?
- FAQ
What is onyx, and what determines its price?
Before discussing a specific price, it is worth knowing exactly what you are buying. From a geological point of view, onyx is a variety of chalcedony, meaning cryptocrystalline quartz—its crystals are so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. This dense, uniform structure gives the stone a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, as reported by the Mindat mineral database, and allows it to be polished to an almost mirror-like shine. Classic onyx has parallel bands; modern jewelry, however, most often uses its deep-black, uniform variety. You can find a broader portrait of the stone in our onyx guide.
The value of this mineral has changed over the millennia. In ancient Rome and Greece, cameos and intaglios were carved from it, and such objects were considered luxury goods. Today, after deposits were discovered in many parts of the world, onyx is a widely available—and therefore affordable—stone. This is a matter of availability, not inferior quality: the same material that the ancients valued for its uniform color and ease of working is now used in jewelry that typically costs from one hundred to several hundred złoty when set in silver.
How much it costs from us—specific prices
Instead of market estimates, here are specific prices from our range, starting with the lowest price point and going up.
Silver Onyx Obelisk Necklace — from PLN 110. The most affordable way to start with this stone: a slender obelisk in silver, perfect for everyday wear.
Cut Heart Onyx Necklace — from PLN 139. A cut heart with a pronounced shine, a popular gift choice.
Faceted Onyx Ring — from PLN 220. The facets break the black into tiny flashes—for those who like a bold accent on the hand.
We have gathered onyx jewelry and related stones in deep black shades in one collection, while more rugged, masculine designs can be found in men’s jewelry.
Code BRAZIBLOG10 — 10% off your first order
How much does onyx cost? Raw material versus finished jewelry
The question of how much onyx costs actually breaks down into two separate questions. Onyx itself—a stone in the form of a cabochon or bead—is inexpensive and usually represents a smaller part of the price in a finished piece. The price of a necklace or ring is the sum of several components, most of which have nothing to do with the mineral.
| Price component | What actually changes the price |
|---|---|
| The stone itself | the smallest share; it increases for large, uniformly black specimens without cracks |
| Cut | a smooth cabochon is less expensive than a labor-intensive faceted cut |
| Setting | usually the largest cost item—925 sterling silver, gold plating, or gold |
| Size and form | large, carved pieces require more material and time |
| Handcrafted | original design and one-by-one craftsmanship instead of mass production |
That is why two necklaces with seemingly identical black stones can differ in price several times over. If you are looking for the lowest entry price, choose a simple design in silver; if you want a striking, large stone— you are mainly paying extra for the metal and the hours spent in the workshop, not for the mineral itself.
Where the name came from
The word “onyx” comes from the Greek “onux,” meaning fingernail or claw. According to Roman mythology, Cupid cut the nails of the sleeping Venus, and the gods turned them into stone so that no part of the divine body would be destroyed.
Find out how to identify genuine onyx →What increases the value of onyx?
Among specimens of the same mineral, price differences can be considerable. The highest prices are commanded by stones with a uniform, deep black color, without visible cracks or microfractures, which develop an even, glassy luster after polishing. Size also matters: a large, flawless piece is rarer than several smaller ones with the same total weight.
The second factor is the cut. Onyx is most often shaped into smooth cabochons that highlight its uniform depth, but a precise faceted cut can bring a surprising play of light out of the black—and costs proportionally more because it requires skill and allows less room for error. The third factor is the lack of treatment: an untreated stone with a naturally black color has a higher collector’s value than commonly found chalcedony dyed black.
PRO TIP from Brazi: Don’t look for synthetic, perfectly uniform smoothness. Small inclusions, subtle changes in shade, or microscopic variations in structure are not flaws — they are proof that you’re holding a piece of nature, not molded plastic.
It’s worth remembering durability, because that is also part of the calculation. A hardness of 6.5–7 means that onyx does not scratch as easily as softer minerals such as malachite or lapis lazuli, while its lack of cleavage means it does not split along defined planes — although a hard impact against a solid surface can chip any stone. Jewelry made with this stone can easily be passed down from generation to generation — so the cost is spread over years of wear, not a single season.
Onyx — the meaning of the stone in tradition and lithotherapy
For many people, price is not the only criterion. The stone’s meaning is deeply rooted in tradition: in lithotherapy, onyx is regarded as a symbol of inner strength, determination, and protection. It is believed that its dense, “light-absorbing” energy acts like a shield, helping to maintain calm in difficult moments and supporting consistency in action. This belongs to the realm of beliefs and centuries-old symbolism, not medicine — the stone does not heal and does not replace medical care.
This symbolic dimension genuinely affects demand and therefore, indirectly, prices: black onyx is sometimes purchased as a personal talisman, a “new beginning” gift for a new stage of life, or as part of an intentionally chosen everyday collection. If you’d like to explore its symbolic and practical aspects together, see the description in our collection: onyx properties.
How can you tell whether onyx is genuine?
The most common fakes are dyed glass and plastic. You can distinguish them without any equipment: a genuine stone feels noticeably cool to the touch and warms slowly in your hand, while at the same size it weighs noticeably more than plastic or resin. A lightweight “onyx” that feels warm immediately is a warning sign.
A more difficult case is dyed chalcedony or agate sold as black onyx. Naturally uniform, deep black is rare in nature, so a significant proportion of black stones on the market have been dyed — this is a common and accepted practice, provided the seller discloses it. Under a magnifying glass, the banding pattern can help: in onyx, the bands run parallel, while in agate they are concentric or wavy. We’ve gathered more tips in our comparison agate or onyx. However, the simplest method remains the same: ask the seller about the stone’s origin and any treatments — a reputable workshop will answer without hesitation.
Beware of Imitations
A suspiciously low price for a large, perfectly smooth, lightweight stone almost always indicates glass or resin. Genuine onyx is cool to the touch, heavier, and has minimal natural irregularities visible when held up to the light.
See natural stone jewelry →Onyx Compared with Other Stones
Compared with sapphire, ruby, or black diamond, onyx is a considerably more affordable stone—and that is its greatest practical advantage. It belongs to the group traditionally called semi-precious stones (today, people more often simply refer to them as ornamental stones), which makes it possible to choose large, striking designs without a budget reserved for multi-carat gems.
An affordable price does not mean a compromise, however. Luxury is increasingly measured not solely by the value of the raw material, but by the uniqueness of the design and the quality of the craftsmanship. Black chalcedony also offers something you cannot buy in a synthetic version: an authentic fragment of nature with a recognizable, timeless aesthetic. When compared with closely related agate, the price differences are minimal anyway—the choice is determined more by the design and character of the stone than by your budget.
Is onyx expensive in artisan jewelry?
In an artisan workshop, the calculation looks different from mass production. Each stone is selected by hand, the design is created for a specific stone shape, and the setting is adapted to its proportions. The cost of such a necklace or ring primarily reflects the hours of work and the amount of precious metal used—onyx is particularly rewarding in this respect, as it allows bold, large forms to be created without driving up the price.
It rose to particular prominence during the Art Deco era, when geometric cuts and the sharp contrast between black and white metal defined the style of the 1920s. Today, this aesthetic is making a comeback: minimalist, strongly defined forms with black stones work just as well in the evening as they do with an everyday outfit. Deep black also pairs equally well with silver and gold, making it one of the most versatile foundations in a jewelry box filled with natural stone jewelry.
If you would like to compare the settings in person and see how a difference of several dozen złoty translates into the appearance of the finished piece, we invite you to our Brazi Druse Jewelry workshop in Warsaw, at 61/5 Grzybowska Street, in the Platinum Towers building (00-844 Warsaw). Onyx is best assessed in your hand—the coolness, weight, and way it catches the light reveal more about the stone’s value than any table.
FAQ — frequently asked questions about the price of onyx
Is onyx expensive compared with other stones?
No. Onyx — a semiprecious stone from the chalcedony family — has widely available deposits, so the raw material costs a fraction of the price of sapphire, ruby, or black diamond. The price of finished jewelry depends primarily on the setting (925 sterling silver, gold plating, or gold), the complexity of the design, and whether the piece was handmade.
How much does onyx jewelry cost?
In our collection, a necklace with an onyx obelisk set in silver costs PLN 110, the faceted heart version costs PLN 139, and a ring with a faceted stone costs PLN 220. Above this price range, the cost is determined mainly by the amount and type of precious metal used, as well as the size of the stone itself.
What is the meaning of onyx?
In tradition and lithotherapy, onyx is regarded as a stone of inner strength, determination, and protection — symbolically, it is believed to help maintain calm and consistency in difficult situations. This belongs to the realm of beliefs and centuries-old symbolism; the stone has no medical effects.
How can you tell whether onyx is genuine?
A genuine stone feels cool to the touch, warms slowly in your hand, and weighs more than plastic or resin of the same size. Under a magnifying glass, onyx shows parallel bands, while agate has concentric or wavy bands. It is also worth asking the seller directly whether the stone has been dyed — this is a common and accepted practice for black chalcedony.
Is dyed onyx inferior?
It is not inferior in terms of durability or appearance — dyeing chalcedony is a method that has been used for centuries. However, its collectible value is lower than that of a naturally uniformly black specimen, which is rarer. For everyday wear, the difference is practically unnoticeable.
How do you care for onyx to preserve its value?
Avoid contact with strong chemicals and perfumes applied directly to the stone, as well as sudden changes in temperature. Clean it with a soft, slightly damp cloth and a little mild soap. Store it separately in a pouch so that harder minerals — such as diamonds or sapphires — do not scratch its surface.
Read also: Onyx — the mystery of the night: properties and meaning and Agate or onyx — how to tell them apart?