sardonyx

American  

[sahr-don-iks, sahr-dn-] / sɑrˈdɒn ɪks, ˈsɑr dn- /

noun

1. a chalcedony that is used for cameos and has sard and chalcedony of another color, usually white, arranged in straight parallel bands.

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sardonyx British  

/ ˈsɑːdənɪks /

noun

1. a variety of chalcedony with alternating reddish-brown and white parallel bands, used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2

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Usage

What does sardonyx mean? Sardonyx is an opaque (non-clear) gemstone that’s commonly reddish-brown with white layers.Sardonyx is a variety of the mineral chalcedony, a kind of quartz.The bands of sardonyx are formed by alternating layers of the minerals sard and onyx. The color of the sard portion can range from yellow-red to a reddish-brown. Because the onyx portion can be banded, it can be considered a type of agate.Sardonyx is considered a semiprecious stone, a label given to stones that hold a lesser value than those considered precious.Sardonyx is one of the birthstones for the month of August. It’s associated with the zodiac sign Leo.Sardonyx is known for its use to create carved gems known as cameos.Example: I wear this sardonyx cameo amulet because I was born in August.

Etymology

Origin of sardonyx

1300–50; Middle English < Latin < Greek sardónyx; sard, onyx

Example Sentences

Among the glories here are a lyrical alabaster-and-pearl paten, which may have come from St. Sophia, and an opulent, dappled sardonyx chalice decorated with enamel figures that resemble mini-mosaics.

From Time Magazine Archive

The gems are the ruby, diamond, and sardonyx.

From The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 6 August 1906 by Various

The Oriental sardonyx was not available for the purposes of the Renaissance artists, who were consequently obliged to content themselves with the colder German agate onyx.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various

Here are collected in abundance, rubies, sapphires, topaz, amethysts, and other precious stones, such as garnets, opals, agates, and sardonyx.

From Celebrated Travels and Travellers Part I. The Exploration of the World by Leigh, Dora

Four lions' heads of pink sardonyx cast forth the water in thin jets into the pool.

From Sulamith: A Romance of Antiquity by Kuprin, A. I. (Aleksandr Ivanovich)