What about Jet? Jet is a gem quite different from Onyx, and one must be careful to not use Jet when referring to Black Onyx. They are quite different.

Jet is another black gem that was used in the last few centuries in Mourning jewelry, rosaries, brooches and other items. It is quite soft, only 2 1/2 - 4 in hardness, and should not be used in rings. It can be scratched with a copper penny, or in softer Jets, even a fingernail! It is actually a type of Charcoal that can be cut with a lathe and polished, and is very nice in some items, but it is what it is, and should not be considered as a gem you would want to set in a ring or any piece that takes hard wear.

Another common stone in the Tourmaline family which passes as Jet or Onyx, is a stone called Schorl, with a hardness of 7-7 1/2.

As long as you love your jewelry and take good care of it, it shouldn't matter of what material it is made, but it does cause one to stop and think about it when purchasing new jewelry.
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Spirals
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The ancient Spiral symbol, a swirl of a coiled circle pattern, has it's roots in a time before the written word in Celtic society. In many of the Celtic countries (and some not so Celtic) are found these strange signs of ancient civilization. Found most often in burial mounds and sacred caves, the meaning of the symbol is mainly conjecture.

Some have likened it to the sun, as a ritual or religious symbol in a time when the ancients were still practicing paganism. During that time it was believed that all things in nature were ruled by, or were in themselves, gods - the trees, the earth, each wind (North, South, East or West) had a god who goverened it. Many believe the Spiral is the symbol for life and the life cycle. In early times the true meaning was passed down from generation to generation, and facts (the true meanings) began to fuse with legend. It has been said that the Spiral is the interpretation by the people of the time, to be the universe, it's spinning cycles and seasons. Many believe these Spirals to hold mystical meanings and powers and that the Spiral was a blessing or a "seal" for the one who has passed, to prevent evil from entering a sacred place - such as a tomb.

The people who made up the Celtic tribes were nomadic, so many artifacts including the Spiral have been found in far reaching areas, not usually associated with the Celts.