Sardonyx - Blood Red and Robes of White

Last August I told you a little about where I live (see The Wizard of Ozone); just 50 miles east of LA. In my town we have a street named after most every foundational stone listed in the book of Revelation. However, for the fifth foundational stone we have two streets, Sard and Onyx, but not one for them together - Sardonyx.

The word sardonyx comes from the Greek "sardonux," derived from "sard," meaning “reddish-brown," and "onux," meaning “fingernail," and has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. Sard is another name for red Chalcedony (Quartz - SiO₂) or the stone Carnelian (the sixth foundation) and Onyx is a mineral formed of alternating Chalcedony bands. The Onyx bands are parallel to one another and a variety of different colors of which the Black Onyx is perhaps the most famous. Sardonyx is a variant of Onyx in which the colored bands are Sard (shades of red) rather than black. In both the alternating color is usually white Chalcedony. Onyx is generally only two layers, black and white as in the black Onyx, whereas the Sardonyx of old is generally presented with three layers - a superficial stratum of red, an intermediate band of white, and a base of dark brown Chalcedony.

In ancient times Sardonyx was often extravagantly carved to make intricate cameos and seals. This is due to its relatively soft nature, rated at 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness, and its structure, composed of many layers of tiny quartz fibers stacked one on top of another. It was also said to never stick to wax. Early Roman writers spoke of it as a “gem of great value.” In antiquity, Sardonyx was, at times, considered more valuable than gold, silver or sapphire.

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Sardonyx signifies the Blood of the Martyrs
Their Souls cleansed of Sin
With Humility in their Hearts

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In the Breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:20 NIV) the Sardonyx, represented by the Onyx, is the eleventh stone and would signify Joseph (by birth order) or Asher (by camp order). Of the Apostles it is said to represent James, son of Zebedee, brother of John. James was the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom, and the only one of the Twelve whose death is recorded in the New Testament (Acts 12:1-2 NIV).

Traditionally Sardonyx is considered a stone of strength, integrity, stamina and vigor. It is said to represent happiness and stability such as in partnerships with friends, in marriage and in business. Sardonyx has been used as a protection against evil. Some people lay out a grid of Sardonyx - placing it at each corner of their house, over doors and at windows to protect against crime and misfortune.

Sardonyx displays the humility of believers in spite of their gifts. It has three colors: on top it is red, in the middle white, and underneath it is black (or dark brown). It represents those who bear the suffering that their zeal produces in the name of Christ (red). Inside their soul they are white, or without hypocrisy, but they feel like detestable sinners (black). The Sardonyx is often referred to as the Gem of Courage or the Gem of Virtue, the Sard signifying the martyrs shedding their blood for Christ, and the white their heavenly Robes.

Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV) - And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: ¹⁰And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? ¹¹And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.