Stones buying guideLast updated October 2026

Onyx

Translucent, glowing stone: the jewellery of interiors.

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Price level
Luxury
Best to buy
Apr–May, Sep–Nov
Top sources
Iran flagPakistan flagMexico flagTurkey flag
Polished honey onyx board with translucent amber and cream bands

Photo: Kevin Walsh, CC BY 2.0

Overview

What is onyx?

Commercial onyx is banded calcite (sometimes aragonite) that formed as mineral-rich water dripped and pooled in caves and springs. Geologically it is closer to travertine than to the chalcedony gemstone of the same name. Layers of colour and translucency make it glow when lit from behind.

It is soft and brittle, so slabs are almost always backed with resin or mesh and used where they won't take knocks: feature walls, bar fronts, reception desks, vanities and decorative objects.

Rock type
Chemical sedimentary (banded calcite)
Hardness
About 3 Mohs
Translucency
High: backlightable at 20 mm
Acid sensitivity
High: etches
Fragility
High: resin or mesh backing is standard
Lots
Small: often a single block

Applications

Best used for

  • Backlit feature wallsThe pattern comes alive with even LED backlighting.
  • Bar fronts and reception desksInstant wow in hospitality and retail.
  • Vanities and powder roomsLow wear, high impact.
  • Lamps, tabletops and decorSmall pieces make the most of costly slabs.
  • Hotel and yacht interiorsLuxury finishes where budgets allow.

Think twice for

  • Floors and worktops. Soft, acid-sensitive and prone to cracking under impact.
  • Exteriors. Weathers and loses its polish outdoors.

Know the names

Popular varieties

  • Honey Onyx

    Iran

    Amber-gold bands.

  • White Onyx

    Iran

    Milky white to honey.

  • Green Onyx

    Pakistan

    Jade-green bands.

  • Pink Onyx

    Iran

    Rose and coral tones.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for onyx, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.
  • Iran flag

    Iran Leading source

    The widest range: white, honey, green and red (not importable into the US)

    • Honey onyx
    • White onyx
    • Red and pink onyx
    Vendors in Iran
  • Pakistan flag

    Pakistan

    Green onyx from Balochistan in volume

    • Green onyx slabs, tiles and handicrafts
    Vendors in Pakistan
  • Mexico flag

    Mexico

    Classic onyx for slabs and crafts

    • Puebla onyx
    Vendors in Mexico
  • Turkey flag

    Turkey

    Processing and trading of imported onyx blocks

    • Resin-backed slabs
    Vendors in Turkey

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Onyx is sold slab by slab, so availability matters more than season. Avoid late March (Iranian New Year) and Pakistan's summer heat, when quarrying slows.

  1. Jan: normal
  2. Feb: normal
  3. Mar: slower or pricier
  4. Apr: best time to buy
  5. May: best time to buy
  6. Jun: normal
  7. Jul: slower or pricier
  8. Aug: slower or pricier
  9. Sep: best time to buy
  10. Oct: best time to buy
  11. Nov: best time to buy
  12. Dec: normal
Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier
  • Nowruz (around 20 March) pauses Iranian business for about two weeks.
  • Lots are small. When you find the right block, reserve the whole sequence.

Import costs

Tariffs and import duties

Base duties for the main import markets, the extra US surcharge by origin, and the trade remedies to check before you quote a landed price.

HS codes

  • 2515.20Blocks (other calcareous stone)
  • 6802.91 / 6802.92Worked onyx (depending on classification)

Base import duty (MFN)

  • United States3% to 4.9% base plus additional dutiesBase MFN rates are 3 percent for blocks and 4.9 percent for worked onyx. Additional Section 301 duties apply depending on origin.
  • European Union0% to 1.7%
  • United Kingdom0%

Importing into the US? Add the 2026 origin surcharge

Section 301 rates in force since 24 July 2026, stacked on the MFN rate above.

  • Iran flagIranEmbargoedUS sanctions bar Iranian-origin goods, stone included.
  • Pakistan flagPakistan+10%Section 301 (2026) adds 10% on top of the MFN rate.
  • Mexico flagMexico+10%Section 301 (2026) adds 10% on top of the MFN rate.
  • Turkey flagTurkey+12.5%Section 301 (2026) adds 12.5% on top of the MFN rate.
  • Iranian onyx is barred from the US by sanctions, and EU and UK buyers face payment-channel hurdles. Pakistani and Mexican onyx are the usual alternatives.
  • Most imports into the US are subject to additional Section 301 duties for forced labor, ranging from 5.1 percent to 12.5 percent depending on the origin.

Rates checked October 2026. Indicative rates for planning, not a customs ruling. Duties depend on the exact tariff line, origin, trade agreements and the rules in force on the day of entry. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price an order.

Before you order

Buying checklist

  1. 1View slabs backlit before buying: the pattern changes completely with light.
  2. 2Check that the resin backing is clear (for backlighting) and not yellowed.
  3. 3Buy bookmatched sequences for walls; lots are small.
  4. 4Plan backlighting with even diffusion to avoid hot spots.
  5. 5Seal, and never use acidic cleaners.

Price level: Premium per square metre, and the resin backing and small lots add to the cost.

Vendor Network

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