Ed Morton, age 10, of Meridian, Miss., for his question:

WHERE DO WE FIND SARDONYX?

Sardonyx is a form of quartz that is used in rings and other jewelry. It is a type of agate and is cut from flat layers of banded masses of agate.

Sardonyx is found in Arabia, Brazil, India, Ireland, Israel, Scotland and Uruguay.

Sardonyx is one of the cheaper gem stones. A jeweler can cut it flat, convex or dome shaped to bring out its full color of brown, golden or blood red.

Saint John called sardonyx the fifth of the foundation stones in his description of the Holy City. Many ancient myths and legends were built around this gem stone.

Cameos are often made from sardonyx.

One of the official birthstones for the month of August is sardonyx.