Which chakra does Black Banded Onyx work with?

Black Banded Onyx is traditionally associated with the Root chakra, the element of Earth, and the sign Capricorn · Leo.

Entry № 043

Black Banded Onyx

Q: What is Black Banded Onyx made of?

Black Banded Onyx has the chemical formula SiO₂ (with carbonaceous and iron oxide colouring), crystallises in the trigonal (microcrystalline) system and measures 6.5 – 7 (Mohs) on the Mohs scale. Black banded onyx is a variety of chalcedony in which the successive silica bands are straight rather than concentric, distinguishing onyx from agate. The natural material owes its black bands to carbonaceous matter and iron oxides deposited between clear layers; the majority of commercial black onyx is a paler chalcedony dyed with sugar and sulphuric acid, a technique perfected in Idar-Oberstein in the nineteenth century and still standard today.

Banded Chalcedony (SiO₂)

Clean parallel lines drawn through the dark.

Chakra

Root

Element

Earth

Zodiac

Capricorn · Leo

I. The Metaphysical Reading

How the stone has been held.

Black banded onyx is carried as a stone of clear personal boundaries, worked with when a practitioner needs to separate their own feeling from a room they have been standing in. It is often kept during periods of legal, financial or family negotiation.

Chakra: Root
Element: Earth
Zodiac: Capricorn · Leo
Keynote: Clean parallel lines drawn through the dark.

II. The Scientific Reading

What the lattice actually does.

Black banded onyx is a variety of chalcedony in which the successive silica bands are straight rather than concentric, distinguishing onyx from agate. The natural material owes its black bands to carbonaceous matter and iron oxides deposited between clear layers; the majority of commercial black onyx is a paler chalcedony dyed with sugar and sulphuric acid, a technique perfected in Idar-Oberstein in the nineteenth century and still standard today.

Formula: SiO₂ (with carbonaceous and iron oxide colouring)
System: Trigonal (microcrystalline)
Hardness: 6.5 – 7 (Mohs)
Provenance: Brazil, Uruguay, India, Pakistan

References & Sources

Independent mineralogical references used to verify the scientific details above.

Mineral Profile

Fact Sheet

Chemical Formula: SiO₂ (with carbonaceous and iron oxide colouring)
Crystal System: Trigonal (microcrystalline)
Mohs Hardness: 6.5 – 7 (Mohs)
Density: 2.58 – 2.64 g/cm³
Refractive Index: 1.530 – 1.540
Provenance: Brazil, Uruguay, India, Pakistan
Color Origin: Black and white parallel bands, straight rather than concentric