Opal Jewelry
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tanzanite, Rhodolite, Apatite,...
1980s British Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, Gold
1960s Australian Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Onyx, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1910s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 22k Gold
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Fire Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Agate, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Opal Jewelry
Brown Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Mixed Metal, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Zircon, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Yellow Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Opal, Multi-gemstone, Yellow G...
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique and Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opals were discovered in 400 BC, and since then five types have been found throughout the world. Before you start shopping for mysteriously beautiful vintage opal rings and other opal jewelry, learn about the different varieties of the gem — and find out which historical figure was reportedly willing to trade his kingdom for a single stone.
Here is a little riddle for you: the month of October has two birthstones, but only one of them encompasses the colors of other birthstones. If you guessed opal, you’re right! (The other gemstone associated with the month of October is tourmaline.)
Opals are such unusual gemstones that there are too many old-wives tales associated with them, like if you’re a blond, wearing an opal necklace will protect your locks from losing color. Opals were also very fashionable in the early 19th century, up until the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s novel Anne of Geierstein in 1829. The title heroine wears an opal and succumbs to an untimely death. However, the British monarchy, and in particular Queen Victoria, did not let this story get in their way, and they frequently gifted opals to friends and family members. October babies should disregard the noise and proudly wear their opals!
There are five types of precious opals: boulder opal, fire opal, crystal/water opal, black opal, and white/light opal. Each variety is distinguished by its color.
So, where does the name come from? The word opal is thought to originate from the Roman opalus or from the Sanskrit úpala (“precious stone”) or from the Greek opallios (“to see a color change”). So while there have been many names for the stones, opals were first discovered in 400 BC in Ethiopia. But the early reference that comes up most often in history books is from the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder, who wrote about it in 75 AD. In his text he refers to it as opali. The Romans were big fans of opal, Mark Antony was so enamored by it that, as the story goes, he was willing to trade a portion of his kingdom for a single opal.
There's a wide variety of antique and vintage opal jewelry on 1stDibs (and you won't have to trade your kingdom for it).