Onyx, pearl and gold bracelet

Onyx, freshwater pearl and gold filled.

The name onyx means "claw" or "nail", probably in reference to its black color. Used for millennia, onyx was prized by the ancient Egyptians for making scarabs and amulets. The Greeks and Romans incorporated it into their jewelry, believing in its protective properties. In the Middle Ages, onyx was often engraved to create seals and intaglios, adding an artistic dimension to its functional use. It was in England, during the Victorian era, that onyx became very fashionable again. In order to respect the fashion of mourning, such as that worn for 40 years by Queen Victoria, the color was banned and black onyx began to be used in jewelry.

Freshwater pearls: In China, the pearl represents the Yin principle: it is an essential symbol of creative femininity. In India, it serves as a panacea for various diseases. Among the Greeks, it was the emblem of love and marriage.