Onyx

Thanks to Marble, a leading brand in the industry, adorning your home, business, or office with the golden glow of onyx, a special type of marble, is now easier than ever. The word onyx originates from the Greek word meaning “fingernail” and has entered Turkish as oniks. Rocks formed by the metamorphosis of limestone or dolomite under heat, pressure, and aqueous solutions are generally referred to as marble. Onyx is one of the four main categories of marble. Among natural stones, onyx is one of the most sought-after materials in the world of architecture and design. A special type of chalcedony, onyx is formed by the mixture of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, copper, iron oxide, and fluorine minerals, which precipitate from underground thermal waters as they boil.

Onyx marble is formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from cold spring waters. It stands out from other types of marble with its crystallized and translucent appearance. While onyx can transmit light, regular marble is only translucent and does not allow light to pass through. Onyx marbles also have a harder structure compared to other marble types, which makes them more challenging to process. In nature, they are commonly found in shades of white, green, yellow, and red.

Onyx marble is shaped through 4 main stages during processing.

1 – Cutting

2 - Shaping

3- Polishing

4 – Finishing (Buffing/Sealing)

How Is Onyx Processed?

One of the key marble flooring elements, onyx marble, enters the workshop in large blocks during the initial stage. The first step is cutting these blocks into suitable sizes using circular saws with diamond-tipped blades. To prevent overheating during cutting, water is continuously fed to the diamond cutter. The shaping of onyx is typically done on a lathe. The stone is first prepared for processing using wedges, and then shaping begins on the rotating workbench. This step requires a high level of expertise and precision. Additionally, during the shaping process, various traditional tools may also be used, such as: madırga (chisel-like tool), çarpacak (mallet), murç (point chisel), arda (fine-tipped chisel), gönye (square), pergel (compass), delgi tığı (boring tool), keski (flat chisel), törpü (rasp), and eğe (file). These tools help in achieving the precise form, details, and finishes that define the beauty and craftsmanship of onyx marble.

Onyx stone, extracted from marble quarries, is transferred to a separate lathe for the polishing process. To prevent the stone from cracking during this stage, it is secured to the lathe using small wooden supports. During polishing, carbon stone and wet sandpaper are used to smooth the surface and enhance its natural shine and clarity.
Polishing: This step is performed to give the finished product a bright, glossy appearance. In the past, it was done using a mixture of tin, lead, mercury, and oxalic acid. Today, oxalic acid is most commonly used for this purpose. If you wish, you can create exclusive designs in your home or workplace using onyx marble, known for its visually striking and elegant appearance. These unique visuals—found only in your space—offer both luxury and individuality. For that, Hurok Marble awaits your selection with its range of professionally crafted onyx products.

Types of Onyx

Being entirely natural, onyx stone poses no harm to human health. Due to its content of silicon minerals, it is sometimes also referred to as agate. However, the material we are referring to here is onyx architectural marble—a type of rock formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from cold spring waters. Onyx is an ideal material for creating radiant marble flooring styles in your home, combining both elegance and durability with its naturally shimmering appearance.

What Can Be Made with Onyx?

Thanks to onyx marble, you can create a wide range of elegant and radiant pieces such as eye-catching columns, wall claddings, fireplaces, marble tables, jewelry, ornamental objects, vases, figurines, and even chess sets. When it comes to custom designs, this natural stone is the perfect fit. What sets onyx marble apart from other natural stones is its unique salt composition—unlike other rock types, it forms in highly saline environments. Because it precipitates slowly, it becomes more crystallized, which is what gives it that golden, luminous hue. With their high level of crystallization and impressive light-transmitting properties, onyx marbles have become some of the most sought-after natural stones thanks to their stunning visual appeal.

In Turkey, onyx found in the Afyon and Cappadocia regions is meticulously processed in the fully equipped facilities of the Marble marble factory, where it is transformed into true works of art. Onyx, which has a significantly different appearance and composition compared to standard marble, can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from it. While onyx is semi-translucent and allows light to pass through, marble does not transmit light. Additionally, marble is typically found in layers closer to the Earth’s surface, whereas onyx forms in much deeper geological layers. Its distinctive color variations further enhance the value and appeal of onyx, making it a truly unique and luxurious natural stone.
Onyx, which was highly popular in Ancient Greece and Rome, takes its name from the goddess of beauty in Roman mythology. It is a hard stone, rated 7.0 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Beyond its physical qualities, onyx is also believed to emit positive energy. It is said to balance human relationships, promote healthy communication, and provide mental clarity and needed energy. Some sources even suggest that onyx can help clear mental fog. For example, a matte gray onyx can be transformed—through specific stone processing techniques—into a dark, brownish-black variant, known as black onyx. If you wish, you too can incorporate the golden light reflections of onyx into your spaces and create palace-worthy decorative effects that exude luxury and elegance.