This cross is circa 1860 and hand carved and hand polished Onyx Stone. Onyx was very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans. The name comes from the Greek word 'onyx', which means nail or claw. The story is that one day the frisky Cupid cut the divine fingernails of Venus with an arrowhead while she was sleeping. He left the clippings scattered on the sand and the fates turned them into stone so that no part of the heavenly body would ever perish. True, black isn't normally the color one associates with fingernails. (Did Venus wear Vamp, perhaps?) But in Greek times, almost all the colors of chalcedony from fingernail white to dark brown and black were called onyx. Later, the Romans narrowed the term to refer to black and dark brown colors only. This Cross is circa 1860, which is Civil War Era and the handmade gold bale made of 15 karat tested rose gold.

The onyx serves as a mourning color and that is why this stone was used and the cross has 5 moonstones in the center of the cross.
Moonstone was used in jewelry by the Romans who believed that the stone was formed from the light of the moon. Moonstone is considered a sacred stone in India.
It is believed to bring good fortune, to enhance passion, and balance the yin and yang and is said to protect women and children. In early times, it was believed that one could see the future if the stone was held in the mouth during a full moon. According to legend, moonstone will ensure abundant crops
Moonstone's healing properties are said to promote digestion, to protect against epilepsy, to calm emotions, cure headaches and nose bleeds, and protect against sun stroke.
This pendant was probably worn with a small black ribbon or cord. The pendant is from Northern Virginia and the size is 3 1/8 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide and 5 mm thick. This is lovely and quality made early piece of jewelry.