Material reference

Matte Onyx · Tibay

Scientific identity, documented history, and community contexts are presented with sources. TÁWID’s contemporary design interpretation is identified separately.

Material identity

Onyx belongs to the chalcedony materials, a fine-grained form of quartz. “Matte” identifies an appearance of the finished surface, not a new mineral species. Mineral identity, black colour, treatment and surface finish should therefore be described as separate characteristics. A matte bead and a glossy bead may differ chiefly in finish; appearance alone cannot settle their composition or treatment. [1] [3]

Documented historical context

Historical onyx carving includes the Met’s Roman cameo fragment dated from the late first century BCE to the first century CE. Its scene is tentatively identified with Proserpine and Pluto. The work belongs to an image-making tradition in which stone was carved into relief, rather than left as a plain bead.

“Matte onyx” describes a contemporary product finish, not a separately documented ancient stone category. The underlying chalcedony can be discussed alongside historical onyx objects, but that history does not establish when this particular finish was introduced. [2]

TÁWID’s contemporary interpretation

Tibay is TÁWID’s contemporary title for steadiness and commitment.

References

1. US Geological Survey, “Natural Gemstones: Mineral Gemstones”
2. Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Onyx cameo fragment,” Roman, late 1st century BCE–1st century CE, 06.1203
3. Australian Museum, “Quartz”

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