Black onyx stud earrings in solid .925 sterling silver

A traditional mourning stone, onyx has long been used in fine cameo and intaglio carvings. 

Typically banded with alternating white and deep brown or black, onyx was perfect for carving contrasted scenes. Onyx jewelry is found in many museum collections.

Many gems are treated to enhance their appearance before being sold, and black onyx may be one of the oldest examples of the practice. Pliny the Elder described the blackening of onyx by boiling it in sugar, then submerging it in an acid. Most black onyx today has been color treated in some way to change it from a banded brownish stone to deep black. While we don't sell many dyed gems, the color of black onyx is remarkably stable with no fading or bleeding and it has a fascinating connection to history.

The little black dress of jewelry, black onyx earrings are a wardrobe essential! If you prefer undyed stones, black spinel and black tourmaline are two great options - and of course there's always black diamond!

Awesome quality settings:

These earrings are expertly hand-set in our rural Oregon studio. The solid sterling silver serrated settings we use for cabochons are Native-American made in the US. These are low-profile settings with somewhat thick, short posts and are really comfortable especially if you sleep in your earrings.

What is a cabochon, anyway?

The cabochon "cab" cut results in a low-profile earring with smooth surfaces that are sensory-sensitivity friendly and have a more minimalist, boho style. Cabochon earrings often feature solid, non-translucent stones, or "silky" semi-transparent gems. Some examples of popular stones are turquoise, lapis lazuli, moonstone, and labradorite. If your personal style tends towards cottagecore, witchy, goth, or dark academia, you may find that cabochon earrings suit you perfectly! They are no-glitz, sleek, and have an upscale alternative vibe. Into crystal healing lore or unique earrings? You'll find some cabochon earring options not available in traditional faceted gems.

How to choose your earring size:

Most of our cabs are offered in 4mm and/or 6mm sizes. 4mm is a dainty earring, while 6mm is more noticeable but still not "large". 4mm & 6mm cabs look smaller than their faceted counterparts, so size up if in doubt. Scroll through the images for the best size references!

Gift-Ready:

Our jewelry is the perfect gift for Mother's Day, Christmas, anniversaries, new moms, or any special occasion! Every piece is elegantly gift boxed and adorned with a ribbon, making it easy for you to delight your loved ones or treat yourself to the joy you deserve. Looking for bridal or bridesmaid gifts? Hit us up for matching sets and custom ribbon color options.

About Distinction Jewelry:

Established in 2006, Distinction Jewelry is a woman-owned fine jewelry micro-business dedicated to lasting quality and clean luxury. By purchasing from us, you directly support real people rather than a large corporation with outsourced labor and ruthless cost-cutting. Your purchases allow us to support ourselves by doing what we love, and we are eternally grateful to you! Think of fine jewelry as the antithesis of fast fashion: Our jewelry is crafted to endure for decades or even generations with proper treatment. Our gemstones are ethically sourced with meticulous care and expertise, and we offer a range of affordable, sustainable lab-grown gems. Our reclaimed precious metals are refined to match the quality and purity of newly mined metals, without the environmental and human impact of destructive mining practices.

Additional images: Gold broach with onyx cameo, ca. 600. The Fall of Phaeton, Adolphe David (1828–1896). Both from the Met Gallery collections.