Heavenly Hearts.............Earrings

Description

Perfect for day or evening wear, these hearts are sure to grab your heart!
These earrings are made with black onyx and quartz, which hang from three of the dangles dropping from gold toned hearts. Two more dangles boast a fine, gold filled chain. The onyx and quartz are separated by gold tone rope discs. The headpins terminate with flower shaped spacers. The earrings are substantial, yet easy to wear. They are not too heavy by any means. The overall effect is unique and stunning!

The earring measures 2 9/16" from the bend in the wire to the bottom of the longest dangle.
The chain hangs an additional 6/16".
The earwires are gold filled . The hearts are gold-toned. They do NOT attract a magnet, but I am unsure of the composition.
The spacers and headpins are gold-toned metal and MAY contain nickel.

The name "onyx" comes from the Greek for "fingernail," referring to the translucence of the white-colored layer of the multi-layered stone. According to myth, Cupid trimmed the nails of the sleeping Venus. The Fates turned those clippings into stone to prevent even a part of Venus from dying.

The Romans were expert at glyptography (the carving of layered stones to reveal different colors) and crafted beautiful seals from onyx (white layer over black base) and sardonyx (white layer over reddish-brown base). The patterns were cut in negative relief. Engravings with a negative picture are called intaglios and those with raised image are cameos. In the Middle East, onyx was associated with sorcerers.

Black has been associated with regeneration and new beginnings. Black onyx is thought by some to have protective qualities, making it advantageous to carry when one is traveling. It is said to be useful in fighting basic fears and in helping to create the opportunity to move beyond bad relationships--and to heal old emotional wounds. The Romans associated it with courage and it is thought to be useful when one is defending him/herself against unfair criticism.

Added on Oct 25, 2009