Onyx marbles are defined by their rings made up of aragonite or calcite that form at the mouths of springs and in cracks and caves where cold water is found. Because these marbles do not truly onyx are a banded chalcedony mostly consisting of silicon dioxide, they do not, in principle, fall under the classification of onyx or marble ary.

With adequate treatment and attention, onyx lasts very long. If maintained properly, onyx can last an eternity. The multifarious calcite that makes onyx translucent, adds to the stone's beauty which makes it a perfect addition to a kitchen or bathroom.

Onyx is reactive to alkaline and acidic substances which makes it important to use a cleaner made for natural stones or very mild dish soap mixed with water. On the contrary, etching or abrasive cleansing techniques must be avoided at all costs as these wipe away the stone’s surface causing irreversible damage.

The cost of a marble stone is considerably less than an onyx stone and its durability is also lower. It is important to know that marble stones can have much prettier colors and patterns than some onyx stones.

Onyx is a type of chalcedony quartzite and marble is a metamorphic stone. Marbles can be viewed as having a composition made of many smaller stones while onyx, can have a surface that is traversed with white lines or spots, otherwise called inclusions. Polishing is first needed for marbles in order to have a luster finish while onyx is naturally polished and does not require any treatment.