Semi-precious variety of chalcedonic silica (SiO2) in which the crystals are too fine to be detected under a microscope, a state known as cryptocrystalline. It has straight parallel bands of different colours: milk-white, black, and red.
Sardonyx, an onyx variety, has layers of brown or red carnelian alternating with lighter layers of onyx. It can be carved into cameos.
Blue stands for the night sky and for water as a source of life. White represents peace. Red indicates the life-force. Green recalls nature and fertility. Effective date: 11 October 1991.