sardonyx

[ sahr-don-iks, sahr-dn- ]

/ sɑrˈdɒn ɪks, ˈsɑr dn- /

a chalcedony that is used for cameos and has sard and chalcedony of another color, usually white, arranged in straight parallel bands.

Origin of sardonyx

1300–50; Middle English < Latin < Greek sardónyx; see sard, onyx

sardinian, sardis, sardius, sardonic, sardonic grin, sardonyx, sardou, saree, sarera bay, sarfu, sarg

Then there was a pause, and then, last of all, arrived Mr. Sardonyx.

The Unseen Bridgegroom |May Agnes Fleming
The sardonyx was supposed by the ancients to be a different stone from the onyx.

Birds and Nature Vol. 11 No. 2 [February 1902] |Various
Mr. Sardonyx bowed and took his hat and his departure at once.

The Unseen Bridgegroom |May Agnes Fleming
He had a most rich George in a sardonyx set with diamonds of very great value; for the rest, very plain.

The Diary of John Evelyn, Volume II (of 2) |John Evelyn

It is a sardonyx of five layers of irregular shape, like all classical gems, measuring 12 in.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 |Various

sardonyx

/ (ˈsɑːdənɪks) /

a variety of chalcedony with alternating reddish-brown and white parallel bands, used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2

C14: via Latin from Greek sardonux, perhaps from sardion sardine ² + onux nail