Bible Dictionary
Sardonyx
Sardonyx was a precious stone combining the colors or layers of sard and onyx. It is listed among the foundations of the heavenly city in Revelation.
Definition
Sardonyx is a precious stone combining sard and onyx. It is a variety of chalcedony or agate, with a red transparent layer and a white opaque layer, sometimes appearing in several layers or stripes.
Biblical Usage
Sardonyx is named among the foundations of the heavenly city in Revelation.
Historical Background
Because of its contrasting layers, sardonyx was frequently used by engravers for signet rings.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Rev. 21:20), a species of the carnelian combining the sard and the onyx, having three layers of opaque spots or stripes on a transparent red basis. Like the sardine, it is a variety of the chalcedony.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a name compounded of sard and onyx, two precious stones, varieties of chalcedony or agate. The sardonyx combines the qualities of both, whence its name. It is mentioned only in (Revelation 21:20) The sardonyx consists of “a white opaque layer, superimposed upon a red transparent stratum of the true red sard.” It is, like the sard, merely a variety of agate, and is frequently employed by engravers for signet-rings.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sar'-do-niks.</p><p>See STONES, PRECIOUS.</p>