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Onyx is seldom seen in bathrooms or kitchens since it is difficult to install and requires regular maintenance to preserve its beautiful looks. As a result, it's most frequently utilized as a bar countertop because of the uniqueness that distinguishes it from others. We would highly recommend either Granite countertops or Quartz countertops as they are way more durable stone countertops.

Onyx countertops are a luxurious addition to any kitchen. They are beautiful and unique, but they also have some disadvantages that should be considered before making a purchase. Onyx is a soft, brittle stone, so it needs to be carefully evaluated for its intended use. Onyx slabs are frequently secured with fiberglass mesh on the back to keep the stone intact. This is a good indication of how delicate the stone is.

Onyx is a type of mineral, specifically a variety of chalcedony, which is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. It is a banded, translucent stone with a waxy luster and is usually found in black or dark shades of brown, red, or green. 

Onyx is often used as a decorative stone in jewelry, sculptures, and ornamental objects. It is also used for architectural purposes such as flooring and wall cladding. Onyx is believed to have several metaphysical properties and is used in alternative medicine and crystal healing practices.

Advantages of Onyx Countertops
Aesthetics: The most significant advantage of an onyx countertop is its distinctive appearance, which sets it apart from other natural stone choices.
Onyx is usually pale or light in hue. Onyx countertops, like other materials, come in a variety of colors, including blue and green to yellow and red. It's also available in neutrals, such as beige and white.
There are also several unusual types and variations, such as specks that resemble quartz, veins on marble, and swirls similar to granite.
Durability: Onyx countertops can last up to 100 years when properly cared for and maintained, which means you may not have to replace it in your lifetime.
Unique: Onyx is a unique material because it's not found in nature in large enough quantities to be used for countertops. As a result, onyx countertops are rare and considered luxurious.
Translucent: Onyx's transparency gives it a sense of delicacy. When lighting is placed behind the stone, this property allows light to shine through, making it possible to create a backlit bar countertop. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about uneven illumination distribution.
The colours in the stone may appear warmer and more vibrant depending on the spectrum of light utilized for backlighting. This quality is unique to Onyx. There are many ways to backlight onyx.
Lightweight: Onyx is very light, making it easy to incorporate into unusual designs. Onyx is typically quarried in tiny slabs, allowing for simple fabrication and handling. It falls on the softer end of the stone hardness scale, making it ideal for vertical and inside usage.

Disadvantages of Onyx Countertops
Fragile: Onyx is somewhat softer and more brittle than other natural stones when comparing it to similar gemstones. This indicates the stone won't endure as well in high-travel areas such as kitchen countertops. Fiberglass mesh backing is often used on Onyx slabs to help strengthen and keep it together.
Easily Scratched: Another disadvantage of an Onyx Countertop is its propensity to scratch or scrape. This makes it prone to damage from everyday use in the kitchen.
Calcium-based: Because onyx is a calcium-based stone, it responds to acidic substances and will most likely etch from these types of spills (wine, lemon juice, vinegar, etc.), or if acid was used.

Onyx may be scratched or etched by knives, pans, cleaning equipment, and acids. As a result, onyx should be utilized in low-traffic or low-use environments. Onyx complements bathroom vanity tops that don't get a lot of use, as well as bar tops that aren't used often.

To prevent staining the stone, clean the toothpaste, moisture from glasses, and food spills as soon as feasible. Onyx stones must be resealed regularly.

Onyx, like marble, is not the most practical material for frequently used countertops such as kitchen worktops. However, onyx may be utilized in a variety of settings, including Bathroom vanities. Walling. Interesting accent areas that are unique and eye-catching. Kitchen island bases.

Onyx is a fantastic choice for adding striking focal points to a room. Its translucency, which allows it to be backlit, is distinctive. The presence of a sparkling stone feature in your home may genuinely distinguish it from the competition and provide added value and luxury to your property.

We are a family-run business based in Canary Wharf, London, offering professional marble restoration services in the greater London area. With years of experience, our skilled team is dedicated to restoring the beauty and elegance of your marble surfaces to their original glory. Whether your marble surfaces are dull, stained, scratched, or damaged, we can provide a tailored restoration solution to meet your specific needs. Our services include cleaning, polishing, honing, repairing cracks and chips, and sealing to protect against future damage. 

Onyx is a popular countertop material, and while we don't recommend it for busy kitchen worktops, its many other design possibilities make it well worth looking at.

Granite, marble, or quartzite are all excellent choices if you're searching for a natural stone surface that can handle high-traffic areas. Onyx is better utilized in lower-traffic areas or as an accent.