5 Reasons Not To Sell Onyx Jewelry

Last updated: April 25, 2019
Gold Onyx Ring with diamonds
Are you thinking of selling onyx jewelry that you inherited, received as a gift, or no longer wear? Before you head to eBay or another online marketplace, here are five reasons why selling your onyx jewelry may not be a good idea.

1. You'll receive less than you think

Unfortunately, nowadays onyx has a low demand on the resale market. This means that you might not get that much for your onyx jewelry. Nevertheless, the market for black gemstone jewelry has its ups and downs. So you may decide to wait and sell your onyx items when their value is higher.

2. You can step-up your wardrobe

Black onyx is generally associated with mourning jewelry or with gothic and punk styles. But onyx jewelry is actually very versatile and it can be a great complement for almost any look. So why not keeping your onyx jewelry and using it to step up your outfits? It looks very sophisticated combined with pastel-colored clothes and also makes a big impact when worn with whites. 

3. You can redesign your onyx jewelry

You may not like the ring you inherited, but onyx is a timeless, beautiful gemstone. Get the best out of your black onyx and design a new piece jewelry that fits your style. There are many modern jewelry designers that can do this for you. And the best part is you’ll have your own, one-of-a-kind custom piece of jewelry.

4. You can keep it as a charm

Every gemstone has a symbolic meaning, and black onyx is no exception. This gemstone is known for neutralizing negative emotions, keeping a person grounded to reality and protecting them from internal imbalances. If gemstones meanings are important to you, you may want to keep your onyx as a self-protection amulet.

5. Black stone jewelry is making a comeback

With black diamond engagement rings leading the way, black stone jewelry is slowly making a comeback in fashion. Combined with either gold or diamonds, onyx has all the potential for high-impact designs. So it may be a good idea to keep your onyx and join the black stone jewelry trend.

How to Value Onyx?
Those who buy and sell onyx and onyx jewelry frequently are familiar with the factors that can affect its value; most important is that items marketed as onyx are true onyx rather than imitations. Many items labeled as onyx are actually banded calcite, which is easier to find than true onyx. This mineral and others like it are softer than onyx and are usually dyed.

Uniqueness and Balance of Design. The real value in onyx lies not so much in the size of the gems themselves, but in the uniqueness, balance, and beauty of the design of the jewelry and other items containing them. As long as a piece contains true onyx and is well-designed, it is likely to be of value. 

Age of Item and Quality of Setting. Vintage and antique pieces containing onyx are usually quite valuable, as are some fine mixed gemstone pieces. Value increases dramatically when the stones are showcased in precious metal settings, including yellow, white, or rose gold; platinum and other precious metals are also used in setting fine onyx.

A Brief History of Onyx

Onyx gets its name from the Greek word meaning claw or fingernail. According to legend, Venus was asleep, and Cupid cut her fingernails, leaving them scattered on the ground, where they turned into beautiful stones. 

In ancient times, these stunning stones were often used to make beads and cabochons just as they are today. They were also used in creating cameo engraved gems. In ancient Egypt, onyx was used in jewelry as well as for embellishing pottery and carving small bowls and other items.

Gemstones We Accept

Alexandrite
Rubies
Emeralds
Sapphires

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