Although its seamless black coloring may imply delicacy, the black onyx stone actually boasts surprising durability. Earning a “7” on the Mohs hardness scale, it remains resilient against daily dust and wear.
Despite its strength, however, onyx will tarnish over time. It will also fall victim to moisture’s erosive powers. For lifelong luster, wearers need to practice diligent care and tending.
Learn how to clean black onyx properly with the correct tools and time-tested techniques to ensure years of future wear in our expert guide.
Tools and Materials Needed for Cleaning Black Onyx
Fortunately, cleaning onyx jewelry doesn’t call for an elaborate setup. Simple, well-chosen instruments get the job done.
When you’re ready to polish your onyx stone, make sure you have the following on hand:
- Soft cloth – Microfiber, with its gentle texture, makes for the best choice.
- Warm water – Aim for a tepid temperature—excessive heat damages jewelry.
- Gentle soap or cleanser – Use mild dish detergent or jewelry cleaner.
For persistent stains, turn to plain white vinegar. If you’re aiming for a crisper sheen, you can also add a touch of commercial jewelry polish.
But whatever you do:
- Steer clear of abrasive methods (such as steel wool and scouring pads)
- Avoid household cleaning products (especially with harsh chemicals)
Some sources recommend a toothbrush for scrubbing, but this carries a high “scratch risk”—best to avoid. Ultrasonic cleaners (which employ high-frequency sound waves to break apart encrusted debris) also pose a threat to your black onyx. Shun them.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Black Onyx
Before beginning, establish a clean, organized space, free of distractions. Choose a level surface with ample room. Lay out your jewelry and materials. Ensure everything’s on hand and ready.
Once set, you’ll follow a simple three-step process for cleaning your black onyx.
#1 Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Fill a glass bowl about halfway with lukewarm water. Add a dash of mild dish soap. Swirl until thoroughly blended (light suds should surface).
Submerge your black onyx jewelry and allow it to soak for several minutes. This helps break up ingrained grime or deposits. No need for extended submersion, though—a light dose will do.
#2 Clean the Black Onyx Surface
Once soaked, remove the piece of jewelry and thoroughly wipe it with your microfiber cloth. Use a rhythmic circular motion. Inspect it closely for accumulated grunge and focus on scuffed portions.
You may feel tempted to turn to elbow grease, but rest assured, with black onyx (and most other gemstones), brute force yields inferior results to gentle, consistent swirling.
Once you’ve restored your stone’s natural sheen, it’s time to wrap up the process.
#3 Rinse and Dry
Hold your piece beneath a flow of warm water until all traces of soap vanish (take a close look to make sure nothing remains in crevices or hidden spots).
Post rinse, gently pat dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Don’t swipe or swirl—this can scuff the stone’s surface, even with microfiber. Instead, repeat a light dabbing motion until entirely dry (or else water spots will arise).
After towel drying, allow your pieces to sit in the open air for some time. This allows lingering moisture to evaporate.
How to Maintain the Shine of Black Onyx Stone
Regular cleanings ensure a lasting, polished presence for your black onyx jewelry. If you wear your pieces often, aim for a weekly wipe-down. It’s also a healthy practice to give your jewelry a quick dusting after each wear (to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating).
Alongside routine cleanings, protect your pieces by:
- Eluding environmental toxins – Because black onyx is porous, it readily absorbs ambient contaminants. Sources of damage include perfumes, lotions, and household cleaners. Avoid contact as much as possible.
- Guarding against heat and sunlight – UV rays reliably fade coloring (you’ve likely noticed the “bleached” appearance of buildings in desert climates). Keep your black onyx away from extended UV exposure and scorching heat.
- Dodging moisture – Water serves as nature’s great “unmaker.” When gemstones are put away wet, tiny water droplets etch into their surface and produce cloudy smudges and unsightly cracks. Always dry jewelry before storing.
- Treating them to a pro polish – While DIY methods can deliver superlative gleam, a professional polish, received at a jewelry shop, can really restore lost luster. Consider the occasional full-service cleaning to maintain a lifetime of shine for your onyx.
While contaminants abound, you shouldn’t feel like the universe is out to punish your jewelry. Keep your pieces safe by practicing these simple, protective habits—they’ll quickly become second nature.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Black Onyx
Learning how to clean black onyx properly begins with taking the right approach. Your next step? Avoiding common pitfalls.
Fortunately, it’s not tough to steer clear of trouble. When cleaning black onyx jewelry, avoid:
- Soaking too long – Because black onyx features a porous surface, prolonged soaking invites fissures and erosion.
- Pressing too hard – This one’s a balancing act: You need enough pressure to break loose any residue, but too much can scratch or smudge your stone.
- Using mechanical methods – Anything that resembles sanding or power washing will deface your black onyx. Stick with microfiber, soap, and water.
- Going too heavy on polish – While a light dose of commercial polish absolutely revitalizes sheen, too much can remove your stone’s protective layer and produce blemishes.
While not a hard and fast rule, you may also want to avoid tap water, which carries minerals and other microscopic debris that can form a foggy layer on your jewelry’s surface. Bottled water, on the other hand, offers ideal purity.
Storing Black Onyx Jewelry to Prevent Dirt and Damage
Black onyx jewelry infuses your outfits with energy and stoic elegance. It deserves a soft, dedicated space to rest when not in use. Careless handling risks disfigurement.
When its adornment duties are done, safeguard your black onyx by:
- Storing separately – When stored with other jewelry, black onyx can take damage from jostling or scraping against harder gems.
- Swaddling with soft material – Always stash your pieces in separate bags—ideally, forgiving material like felt, velvet, or satin.
- Wiping before storage – Give your pieces a gentle wipe down with a dry microfiber cloth before storage—this keeps dust and moisture at bay.
You might also consider using anti-tarnish jewelry bags, which feature a specialized film that neutralizes caustic environmental gases. Most come equipped with clear casing, meaning you can easily identify which piece is inside—no unnecessary opening.
In short, protect your jewelry from jostling and environmental toxins. Doing so will ensure an extended, lustrous life for your black onyx.
How to Style Your Black Onyx
At the end of the day, what’s the purpose of jewelry care? To ensure your pieces are always ready to express your inner fire.
Black onyx offers a unique and potent style tool. Now that you’ve mastered its care, learn how to wear black onyx jewelry to harness its gleam:
- Pair it with delicate pieces – Black onyx exudes a serene yet imposing aura—the perfect bedrock to frame finer pieces. Match it with an elegant gold necklace or a subtle silver ring.
- Welcome contrast – Utter darkness—that’s what black onyx offers. Strike eye-catching contrast by offsetting it with earthy tones (like green and brown) or gentle textures (like denim and corduroy).
- Statement layering – Push contrast further by intentionally stacking black onyx with other materials. Pearl, diamond, turquoise—each speaks volumes. Let black onyx serve as the dark stage that frames their light.
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Offset with gold and silver – Black onyx offers a stoic anchor for flashes of gold and silver. Try surrounding your black onyx with gold or silver pieces, especially of similar shapes, to draw out every drop of beauty.
Understanding the meaning of black onyx also helps inform stylistic choices. Throughout history, humans have revered black onyx for its:
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Protective powers – Often viewed as a shield against dark energy and malevolent spirits, black onyx broadcasts a pure, grounded aura.
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Healing energy – Healers often associate black onyx with new beginnings and rebirth. It was even prescribed as a health aid in ancient times.
- Emotional regulation – Black onyx exudes calm and centeredness. It helps its wearer release past attachments and troubling emotions.
Keep these associations in mind as you style your black onyx, and its quiet, steady presence will make itself known.
Black onyx also packs surprising versatility. It’s equally adept at adding a spark to daily attire as it is at crowning a formal ensemble.
As with most tools of self-expression, mastery stems from practice. Continue to design outfits that incorporate black onyx, and, over time, you’ll effortlessly intuit how its starless shading can complement your personal aesthetic.
Eternal Gleam: Black Onyx, from Clocks & Colours
Learning to care for black onyx offers an opportunity to develop a relationship with your pieces. By taking time to polish them with soap and water, store them in soft casings, and protect them from noxious toxins, you gradually make them an extension of yourself.
Over time, this connection will become evident in your pairings and outfits. A striking aura all your own.
At Clocks + Colours, we provide a roster of black onyx pieces, alongside sterling silver and turquoise options, that offer a ready canvas for your values and style. And, because all of our pieces are forged by expert craftsmen, you’ll have no trouble drawing inspiration.
Stake your claim—explore our collection today.
Sources:
International Gem Society. Onyx Properties, Varieties and Jewelry Information. https://www.gemsociety.org/article/black-onyx-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/
International Gem Society. How to Clean Your Gemstone Jewelry. https://www.gemsociety.org/article/clean-gemstone-jewelry/
BestTechnology. How Do Ultrasonic Cleaners Work? How to Identify Quality Differences in Ultrasonic Cleaners.
https://www.besttechnologyinc.com/ultrasonic-cleaning-systems/how-do-ultrasonics-work/
Icolor. Exploring the Diversity of Jewelry Pouch Materials. https://www.ecoicolor.com/exploring-the-diversity-of-jewelry-pouch-materials/
My Crystals. Black Onyx: Meaning, Healing Properties and Powers.
https://www.mycrystals.com/meaning/black-onyx-meaning-healing-properties-and-powers
Simon Surfaces. UV Rays and Color Fade for Exterior Surfaces.
International Plastics. Anti-Tarnish Bags for Jewelry Storage. https://www.interplas.com/reclosable-bags/anti-tarnish-jewelry-bags
