Onyx is translucent meaning it can be seen through if held to the light or lit from behind and extremely variable in color and pattern.
What is difference between onyx and marble.
The easiest way to tell the difference between onyx and marble is to pick it up.
Onyx is a type of very fragile marble a metamorphic stone.
Like other marbles onyx is much softer than granite and is likely to stain or etch.
Unlike other marbles onyx is translucent and can be lit from behind to showcase its beauty.
A popular feature of some of the onyx used for counters is it s translucency.
The main problem with identifying marble arises from its similarity in some respects to granite onyx alabaster and even porcelain but with a few tips should help you to tell the difference.
Generally onyx is considered a more exotic material than most marble.
Onyx is an extremely variable stone with heavy veining.
Marble is extremely dense and heavier then onyx and also harder.
Lift the item assuming it is a freestanding item to see how heavy it is.
I ll only speak about the stones from the perspective of a counter top fabricator.
Onyx is a form of marble comprised mostly of calcite.