Onyx

Onyx is a semiprecious form of chalcedony. It has straight layers or bands of different colors

In the Bible, onyx was used for decoration and jewelry. Two onyx stones were placed on the shoulder pieces of the high priest’s ephod (Exodus 28:9). Onyx was also one of the stones on his breastpiece (Exodus 28:20; 39:13).

The Bible also mentions “onyx” in descriptions of the garden of Eden, valuable building materials, wisdom, and the king of Tyre (Genesis 2:12; Exodus 25:7; 1 Chronicles 29:2; Job 28:16; Ezekiel 28:13).

See also Precious Stones; Sardonyx.