Sardonyx stone in ancient history

The earliest use of sardonyx that can be traced is from the Twenty Second Dynasty and the disc from the Nineteenth Dynasty temple of Meneptah at Memphis, but certainly of later date, called onyx by the finder, appear form the description (white, red and brown) to be sardonyx.

Pliny mentions that the first Roman who wore a sardonyx, according to Demostratus, was the elder Africanus, since whose time this stone has been held in very high esteem.

Sardonyx became very popular after the Twenty First Dynasty, reaching a peak of use (particularly for cameos, intaglios, and ring settings) in the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

Cameos of sardonyx became popular in classical Greece and Rome and continued to be for many centuries. It was also frequently used as the stone at the end of the chain in the fob watch.

The finest Sardonyx come from India and Arabia, but it is also found in Germany and the Tyrol. It was used as a gemstone, for seal stones and small decorative objects. Roman soldiers wore sardonyx engraved with figures of Mars or Hercules to give them courage.

In the Middle Ages sardonyx was used for healing, especially the eyes. The coolness of the stone when placed on the eyelids was said to bring respite from discomfort.
Sardonyx stone in ancient history