Pakistan has been bestowed by nature with multitude reserves of onyx in the mountains in the province of baluchistan. Onyx comes from the family of marble but is distinctive for its beautiful colors and shades. The colors range from light green to medium and jade green, from copper brown to dark brown and within each co lour the varying effects of dark, medium and light shades interplay through the veins. Onyx has unique quality of being transparent against light.
The technique of inlaying the delicately cut and shaped multicolored sea shells onto the onyx crafts in floral or geometrical designs and patterns has historical linkage with centuries old art of inlaying diamonds and gems onto the objects of marble.