$20.00
A 1.5-inch turtle carving featuring a polished black onyx head and limbs with a contrasting green serpentine shell. A compact, dual-stone miniature with detailed craftsmanship.
In stock
This 1.5-inch turtle carving is crafted from two complementary natural stones: black onyx for the head and legs, and serpentine for the shell. Artisans carve each component separately and fit them together to highlight the contrast between the deep, glossy black onyx and the warm green serpentine.
The turtle’s shell features smooth curvature and natural speckling from the serpentine, while the onyx adds defined shaping to the face, limbs, and tail. The dual-stone construction gives the carving both visual interest and tactile depth.
Black onyx is a microcrystalline variety of chalcedony, composed of fine-grained quartz. Its dark coloration comes from carbon-based minerals that enter silica-rich fluids during crystallization. Known for its exceptional polish and durability, onyx is widely used in decorative carvings and jewelry.
Serpentine is a metamorphic stone formed when ultramafic rocks interact with water and heat, producing minerals with a waxy luster and naturally rich green tones. The stone often displays soft mottling, light veining, or variations in shade that bring organic warmth to carved pieces.
| Property | Black Onyx | Serpentine |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Class | Silicate – Quartz (Chalcedony) | Silicate – Serpentine Group |
| Chemical Formula | SiO₂ | (Mg,Fe)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ |
| Crystal System | Trigonal (microcrystalline) | Monoclinic |
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 – 7 | 2.5 – 5.5 |
Turtle carvings appear in many global art traditions, admired for their rounded form and symbolic connection to longevity, stability, and perseverance. Combining serpentine shell and onyx body echoes mixed-stone carving traditions where contrasting textures and colors are used to highlight anatomical features.
This dual-material approach offers a balanced artistic interpretation—smooth, solid onyx shaping the body, paired with the softer, more varied look of serpentine for the shell.
This carving naturally expresses:
Grounded presence, reflected in the turtle’s steady form
Contrast and harmony, through the pairing of black onyx and green serpentine
Classic miniature artistry, shown in the careful sculpting of shell and limbs
Its compact size makes it ideal for display on shelves, desks, or in curated animal figurine collections.
At 1.5 inches, this turtle offers strong visual contrast: a sleek black onyx head and legs set against a warm green serpentine shell. The polish enhances reflective surfaces, while natural variations in the serpentine create unique patterning in each piece.
Wipe gently with a dry cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners and prolonged moisture. Due to serpentine’s softer nature, store separately from harder stones to prevent scratches.
| Weight | 3 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.5 × 1.25 × .50 in |
