Civil War Era 18 karat Banded Sardonyx Bar Pin: This pin is from a collector in Asheville, North Carolina and the gold work is handmade of 18 karat yellow gold. The pin is set with onyx that is in layers of black and white which is call banded Onyx or Sardonyx. This item is considered a half-mourning pin and has a pearl in the center of the pin which would represent a “tear” in an item of mourning.

Onyx is the Mystical birthstone for the month of December. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Leo. Onyx is also given on the 7th and 10th wedding anniversary. Onyx is chalcedony quartz that is mined in Brazil, India and Uruguay. It has a fine texture and black color; however some onyx also displays white bands or ribbons against a black or brown background and this variety is known as sardonyx.

The pin is 2 inches long and ½ inch tall. The sardonyx is a 7 in hardness; about the same as a garnet. The stone and gold work is in excellent condition.