Tiger's eye and matte onyx bracelet 8mm

Tiger's eye and matte onyx.

In Mesopotamia, the tiger's eye was called Oculus Belus, namely Oculus for the eye, and Belus for the name of the God of fortune. This stone has therefore been used for thousands of years to bring luck and protection. The Romans wore it as a talisman during war, which was supposed to protect them from injury.

Onyx, whose name means "claw" or "nail" in reference to its black color, has been used for millennia. The ancient Egyptians prized it for amulets and scarabs, while the Greeks and Romans considered it protective. In the Middle Ages, it was often engraved to create seals and intaglios, marrying art with functionality. During the Victorian era in England, black onyx became popular again, particularly in jewelry, in keeping with the fashion of mourning, such as that worn by Queen Victoria for 40 years.