Sardonyx
/ˈsɑːr.də.nɪks/noun
A banded variety of chalcedony combining layers of sard and onyx.
Did you know?In antiquity, sardonyx was prized for cameos and seals because its layered bands could be carved into images that looked almost magically alive when the light hit them.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sardonýx (σαρδόνυξ)
“A banded gemstone made of sard and onyx layers”
Latin
Latin
sardonyx
“A sard-onyx gemstone”
Late Latin / Old French
Latin / OFr
sardoine / sardoine
“A sard-colored or sard-related stone”
Middle English
English
sardonyx
“A striped gemstone used in seals and ornament”
Modern English
English
sardonyx
“A banded variety of chalcedony”