Starlicia Onyx

Starlicia Onyx is a luxurious natural onyx stone quarried in Turkey, renowned for its exceptional translucency and striking decorative character. It typically displays a dramatic palette of warm amber, honey-gold, creamy beige, and translucent ivory tones, often interlaced with flowing veins of white, caramel, rust, and occasional darker mineral accents. The stone’s color and appearance are defined by rich tonal transitions and layered translucency, producing a luminous depth that becomes especially vivid when backlit. Its texture and structure are fine-grained and crystalline, typical of banded calcitic onyx, with smooth flowing patterns that range from cloud-like formations to linear and wavy veins. These organic structures create a dynamic visual effect where light penetrates the stone, highlighting the internal bands and producing a glowing effect that makes Starlicia Onyx particularly valued for feature installations and prestige interior spaces.

Typical Physical and Mechanical Test Results (approximate values):

• Apparent Density: 2.60–2.70 g/cm³
• Water Absorption: 0.20–0.40 % by weight
• Compressive Strength: 80–120 MPa
• Flexural Strength: 7–12 MPa
• Abrasion Resistance: 20–28 mm
• Impact Resistance: 25–35 cm
• Frost Resistance: Generally not recommended for exterior freeze–thaw conditions
• Hardness: Mohs Hardness: approximately 3.0 (similar to calcite-based stones)

Chemical Composition (% by weight):

• Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃): 94–98 %
• Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO₃): 0.5–2 %
• Iron Oxides (Fe₂O₃): 0.1–0.8 %
• Silica (SiO₂): 0.2–1.0 %
• Trace minerals and organic pigments: <0.5 %

Mineralogical Composition (% by weight):

• Calcite: 93–97 %
• Aragonite: 1–3 %
• Quartz: 0.2–0.8 %
• Iron-bearing minerals and other trace inclusions: <1 %

Usage:

Because of its translucency and dramatic veining, Starlicia Onyx is most often used in interior decorative and architectural applications such as backlit wall panels, reception desks, feature walls, luxury hotel lobbies, bar counters, vanity tops, tabletops, fireplace surrounds, and artistic installations. It is especially popular in high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects where lighting can emphasize its natural glow.

Maintenance:

Starlicia Onyx requires careful maintenance due to its calcite-based composition. Surfaces should be sealed with a high-quality penetrating sealer to reduce staining and moisture absorption. Cleaning should be done with pH-neutral stone cleaners, avoiding acidic or abrasive chemicals which can etch the surface. Regular resealing and gentle cleaning help preserve the stone’s polish and translucency.

Surface Finish Options:

• Polished – the most common finish, enhancing translucency and color depth
• Honed – smooth matte appearance with softer reflections
• Leathered / Brushed – lightly textured surface emphasizing natural structure
• Backlit Panels – specially cut and reinforced slabs designed to maximize light transmission

With its glowing translucency, flowing veining, and luxurious color variations, Starlicia Onyx stands as a highly prestigious decorative stone, capable of transforming architectural spaces into visually striking environments when used as a focal design element.