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Art Nouveau Opal Pendants

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John Zerano Art Nouveau Opal Pendant with 14 K Yellow Gold Chain
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Nouveau pendant with 14 K yellow gold chain. By John Zerano, Germany. Opal in cabochon-cut and
Category

20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau Opal Silver Scarab Pendant
Located in Berlin, DE
This Art Nouveau silver pendant was crafted about 1900. Studded with oval opal in scarab shape and
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Silver

Art Nouveau Opal Silver Scarab Pendant
Art Nouveau Opal Silver Scarab Pendant
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W 1.34 in L 2.17 in
Art Nouveau Style Opal and Diamond Drop Pendant
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A very pretty Art Nouveau style drop pendant set in 9ct yellow and white gold with precious opal
Category

Early 2000s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau Style Opal and Diamond Drop Pendant
Art Nouveau Style Opal and Diamond Drop Pendant
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H 1.58 in W 0.95 in
Art Nouveau Diamond Opal Pendant/Brooch, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
18ct gold & silver set Art Nouveau Diamond Opal Pendant/Brooch dated circa 1900 Five round opals
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Diamond Opal Pendant/Brooch, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
18ct gold & silver set Art Nouveau Diamond Opal Pendant/Brooch dated circa 1900 Five round opals
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Platinum Art Nouveau Butterfly Opal Diamond Pendant with Chain
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Breathtaking Opal Diamond and Emerald Butterfly pendant with chain in Platinum and yellow Gold
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklace Gingko Leaves Opal Green Enamel Silver
Located in Munich, Bavaria
produced strong and expressive Art Nouveau jewellery. The pendant is accompanied by a period fine long
Category

Antique 1890s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Silver, Enamel

Art Nouveau Boulder Opal Pearl & Sapphire Necklace
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
The Art Nouveau era was a short-lived period of design which produced the most naturalistic and
Category

Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Unisex Opal Pendant Necklace Yellow Gold Art nouveau style
Located in Berlin, DE
14K yellow gold pendant necklace with Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements
Category

2010s German Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Unisex Opal Pendant Necklace Yellow Gold Art nouveau style
Unisex Opal Pendant Necklace Yellow Gold Art nouveau style
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H 1.22 in W 0.67 in D 0.12 in L 1.02 in
Art Nouveau White Diamond Opal Tanzanite Pearl Yellow Gold "Birdcage" Pendant
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
version. This Pendant has also its matching Earrings. This Pendant is inspired by Art Nouveau. We're a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, T...

Art Nouveau White Diamond Opal Tanzanite Pearl Yellow Gold "Birdcage" Pendant
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
version. This Pendant has also its matching Earrings. This Pendant is inspired by Art Nouveau. We're a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, T...

Art Nouveau Style Ruby Emerald Sapphire Opal Yellow Gold "Moon Phases" Pendant
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
has 1.10 Carats Of Opals. This Pendant has 5.20 Carats of Peridots. This Pendant has 5.40 Carats of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Sapphire, Ruby, Peridot, Opal, Garnet, Emerald...

Art Nouveau 2.62 Carat Opal and Yellow Gold Necklace
By Murrle Bennett & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Art Nouveau 2.62 carat opal and 15 karat yellow gold necklace made by
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boulder Opal Necklace Australian Gemstone Ivy Art Nouveau style gift
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
Ivy pendant with natural Boulder Opal in patinated silver on 100% silk black cord (handmade in
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Egyptian Revival Amber and Carved Opal Scarab Necklace
Located in Narberth, PA
Art Nouveau (ca1900s) era! This absolutely gorgeous and unique piece is crafted in 14kt yellow gold
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amber, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Opal Yellow Gold Pendant Multicolor Australian Stone
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
х 0.55 х 1.34 in / 4 х 14 х 34 mm opal weight - 32 carats pendant weight - 10.79 grams pendant
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Opal Yellow Gold Pendant Multicolor Australian Stone
Opal Yellow Gold Pendant Multicolor Australian Stone
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H 1.85 in W 0.55 in D 0.16 in L 1.34 in
Opal Gold Pendant Boulder Australian Nature Inspired Necklace
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
14K yellow gold pendant with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.24
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Opal Gold Pendant Boulder Australian Nature Inspired Necklace
Opal Gold Pendant Boulder Australian Nature Inspired Necklace
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H 1.73 in W 0.71 in D 0.24 in L 1.38 in
Art Nouveau Guilloché Enamel, Diamond, Pearl, Pendant, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
An exquisite, rare and fine Art Nouveau pendant in 18 carat gold, Circa 1900. 18 carat gold set
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau Guilloché Enamel, Diamond, Pearl, Pendant, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
An exquisite, rare and fine Art Nouveau pendant in 18 carat gold, Circa 1900. 18 carat gold set
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Natural Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold

Full Moon Black Opal Silver Pendant Natural Neon Purple Gem Australian
Located in Berlin, DE
Sterling silver pendant with natural black opal opal origin - Australia opal size - 0.12 x 0.71
Category

2010s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Black Opal, Sterling Silver, Silver

Full Moon Black Opal Silver Pendant Natural Neon Purple Gem Australian
Full Moon Black Opal Silver Pendant Natural Neon Purple Gem Australian
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H 1.1 in W 0.71 in D 0.12 in L 0.71 in
Boulder Opal Silver Pendant Nacreous White Multicolor Natural Australian Stone
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver pendant with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.2 х 0.51 х
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver

Australian Opal Gold Pendant Raw Natural Necklace Purplish Blue
Located in Berlin, DE
14K white gold pendant with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.24 х
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Australian Opal Gold Pendant Raw Natural Necklace Purplish Blue
Australian Opal Gold Pendant Raw Natural Necklace Purplish Blue
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H 1.77 in W 0.67 in D 0.24 in L 1.2 in
1904 Art Nouveau Nordic Locket Pendant Sapphire Pearls solid 18KGold / 5.3gr
Located in SE
120-year-old Pendant / Locket made of solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with two Sapphires Ø 2.75 mm
Category

Antique Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold

7.12 Carat Mexican Fire Opal Tweety Bird PT 900 Cocktail Pendant
By Malpani Jewels
Located in Hung Hom, HK
Our tweety bird pendant comprises a 7.12-carat orange opal decorated with a 0.21 carat, pear-shaped
Category

2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Fire Opal, Platinum

Georg Jensen Silver Opal and Labradorite Cabochon Pendant Necklace #4 c1904-1908
By Georg Jensen
Located in Glasgow, GB
A Georg Jensen silver opal and labradorite cabochon pendant #4 with chain, circa 1904-1908. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s Danish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Labradorite, Opal, Silver

Boulder Opal White Gold Pendant Natural Australian Gem Polychrome Moon River
Located in Berlin, DE
14K white gold pendant with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.28 х
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Boulder Opal White Gold Pendant Natural Australian Gem Polychrome Moon River
Boulder Opal White Gold Pendant Natural Australian Gem Polychrome Moon River
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H 1.77 in W 0.47 in D 0.28 in L 1.3 in
Victorian Opal Snake Pendant Necklace Long Antique Gold 1800s Rare
Located in New York, NY
A rare antique Victorian - Art Nouveau Opal Snake Pendant depicting two snakes or serpents wrapped
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold

Griffin Dragon Black Opal Pendant Necklace Antique Belle Epoque 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A STUNNING BEAUX ARTS RENAISSANCE REVIVAL ART NOUVEAU 14 KARAT GOLD PENDANT OF A GRIFFIN OR
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Moon Neon Opal Silver Necklace Natural Neon Australia Dark Magic Stone Healing
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver necklace with natural Black Opal opal origin - Australia opal size - 0.12 x 0.71 x 0.71 in
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Black Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver

Handmade Unique Australian Black Opal Diamond & Sapphire Butterfly Gold Necklace
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Australian Black Opal, Diamond & Sapphire Butterfly Handmade 18k Gold Necklace. This is a unique
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold,...

Chandelier Silver Plated Bronze and Art Glass, Style Jugendstil, Art Nouveau
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Hanging lamp. Material: art glass and silver plated bronze. Style: Art Nouveau. Country: French
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Art Glass

Monumental Chandelier in Alabaster, Art Nouveau or Modernism or Jugendstil
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
materials such as opals and semi-precious stones Art Nouveau had its greatest impetus in the 1900 Universal
Category

Vintage 1910s French Art Nouveau Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Alabaster, Chrome

2 Chandeliers in Alabaster, Style: Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1915
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions
Category

Vintage 1910s French Art Nouveau Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Alabaster, Iron

Boulder Opal Gold Pendant Oval Fine Jewelry Art Nouveau style
Located in Berlin, DE
14K yellow gold pendant with natural Boulder Koroit Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements
Category

2010s French Aesthetic Movement Drop Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique German Pendant Diamond solid 18K Gold /1.5gr
Located in SE
Antique German ca. 1920s -1940s pendant made of solid 18K Rose Gold. The inner pendant with a small
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique German Locket Pendant Picture solid 14K Gold oval / 3.3gr
Located in SE
Antique German or Austrian late 19th - early XX cent. Pendant / Locket made of solid 14K Greenish
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold

Antique Austrian oval Pendant Picture Locket solid 14KGreen Gold / 2.3gr
Located in SE
Antique 19th - early XX cent. European Pendant / Locket made of solid 14K Greenish Yellow Gold
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold

Rare Plique a Jour Pendant, Hemmerle
By Hemmerle
Located in New York, NY
point of Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil as the style is known in Germany. The vermeiled sterling silver
Category

Vintage 1910s German Jugendstil Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, 10k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver

Rare Plique a Jour Pendant, Hemmerle
Rare Plique a Jour Pendant, Hemmerle
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H 4 in W 0.75 in L 14.5 in
Antique oval Picture Locket Pendant solid 18K Yellow Gold / 6gr
Located in SE
Hand-made in 18K Gold - Pendant / Locket with hand-engraved ornaments of Greek Key on both sides
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique oval Picture Locket Pendant solid 18K Yellow Gold / 6gr
Antique oval Picture Locket Pendant solid 18K Yellow Gold / 6gr
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H 1.58 in W 0.91 in D 0.24 in
1864 Nordic Eternity Knot Pendant Picture Locket solid 18K Yellow Gold/ 4gr
Located in SE
Antique Pendant / Locket in solid 18K Yellow Gold. Detailed hand - engravings of Eternity Knots in
Category

Antique 1860s Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold

Art Nouveau 18 Karat Gold Opal Necklace, circa 1870s
Located in Braintree, GB
Art Noveau 18kt gold opal necklace, with natural opals and rubies, and enamel decoration. Made in
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Nouveau Link Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 15k Gold

Antique Nordic Picture Pendant Locket Diamond solid 18K Gold /5gr
Located in SE
Antique 18K Yellow Gold Pendant Locket with a diamond cut Diamond in white Gold rhombus shaped
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

A Danish Modern 5-Headed Chandelier in Opal Glass & Brass, Art Deco, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
styles. A modern, antique, classic, Scandinavian or an Art Nouveau home decor.
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Antique Imperial Austrian Pendant Brooch Rhodolite Pearls Enamels Silver/ 10.5gr
Located in SE
hallmark was in use in Austria between 1856 – 1937. This pendant came together with other items that
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Rhodolite, Silver, Gold, Enamel

Antique German Pendant Seed Pearls and Diamond solid 14K Gold /1.2gr
Located in SE
German natural Seed pearls and Diamond pendant made in ca. early 1900s. Vague hallmarks on the
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Antique European Pendant Demeter Carved Shell Cameo solid 14K Rose Gold / 9.7gr
Located in SE
Antique pendant/brooch with hand carved Shell cameo depicting Demeter - Greek Goddess of the
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Dionysus Carved Shell Cameo pendant brooch solid Gilt Silver/11.4gr
Located in SE
German natural Seed pearls and Diamond pendant made in ca. early 1900s. Vague hallmarks on the
Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold-filled, Silver

Art Nouveau Opal Diamond Gold Byzantine Princess Diadem Tiara
Located in London, GB
Jewellery from the 1860s to 1960s, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, Stuttgart 2021, cat. no. 231 The diadem is
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Antique Russian O.F. Kurlukov Egg Enamel Pendant 56 Gold 14K Silver/3.89gr
By Karl Fabergé
Located in SE
Antique miniature Passover Egg pendant made in Imperial Russia between years 1884 - 1916. Body in
Category

Antique Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Silver, Enamel

Round Locket Pendant - 18k Yellow Gold - Blue Enamel - 12 Diamonds 0.19 ct GVS
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Round locket pendant, 18k yellow gold, Merian Collection, medium blue and opalescent turquoise
Category

2010s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold

Art Deco Negligee Necklace Citrine Gilt Silver / 37.5 cm / 5.4gr
Located in SE
5.75 mm /ca. 3ct Total: ca. 10.75 ctw of Citrines here. The pendant is 4.6 cm long. Length is 37.5 cm
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Citrine, Silver, Gold-filled

Antique Hope Love Heart Locket Pendant 82 Diamond Sapphire Ruby Emerald 14K Gold
Located in SE
Antique British or American Pendant / Locket in solid 14K Gold , ca. late 19th - early 20th century
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Art Deco Negligee Necklace Amethyst Seed Pearls Silver / 42.5 cm / 4.1 g
Located in SE
are hand-cut. The pendant is 4.5 cm long. The length of the necklace is 42.5 cm with the lock closed
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Pearl, Silver

Antique Art Nouveau Opal and Ruby Yellow Gold Brooch, Circa 1910
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
versatile Art Nouveau opal brooch may be converted and a ring loop attached to the reverse to enable the
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Opal, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Fabulous Art Nouveau Black Starr Frost Platinum Filigree 100ct Australian Opal
By Black, Starr & Frost
Located in St. Petersburg, FL
One of the largest and most magnificent natural Australian opal cabochons we have ever seen, set in
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Platinum

9ct Gold Opal Pendant & Matching Earrings
Located in London, GB
Beautiful 9ct Gold Opal Pendant with Matching Earrings Quality Goldsmith Earrings Length 3cm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Art Nouveau Dangle Earrings

Materials

Opal, Gold

Milky way Opal pendant Natural Australian opal neon blue gemstone
Located in Berlin, DE
Milky way - 14K yellow gold pendant with natural Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau More Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Fontana Arte Pendant Model 2356 Italy 1960s Rare
By Max Ingrand
Located in VUGHT, NL
; Hollywood Regency Victorian New Modern Organic Art Nouveau.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Opal, Metal, Brass

Antique Cross Crucifix Diamonds solid 18K Gold / 1.22 g
Located in SE
Antique ca. early XX cent. European openwork crucifix pendant skillfully set with 14 rose cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold

Imperial Russian Georgian Orthodox Cross Crucifix Solid 56 / 14K Gold /4cm /2 gr
Located in SE
Russian / Georgian Orthodox Cross pendant in solid 56 / 14K Gold. Delicate hand - engraved ornament
Category

Antique Early 1900s Georgian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold

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Art Nouveau Opal Pendants For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of art nouveau opal pendants for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from Gold, Yellow Gold and 14k Gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 58 vintage editions and 10 modern creations to choose from as well. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 19th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There are many different pieces in our collection of art nouveau opal pendants to choose from, but Art Nouveau and Edwardian art nouveau opal pendants are of considerable interest. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by llyn strong, Marcus & Co. and Murrle Bennett & Co. are consistently popular. Today, if you’re looking for cabochon art nouveau opal pendants and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and pear cut alternatives. When shopping our range of art nouveau opal pendants, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men today than there are for women.

How Much are Art Nouveau Opal Pendants?

Prices for art nouveau opal pendants can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $750 and can go as high as $175,000, while art nouveau opal pendants, on average, fetch $5,648.

A Close Look at art-nouveau Jewelry

Art Nouveau — generally considered to have begun in the late 1800s and ended with the start of World War I — was a movement in the decorative arts that drew inspiration from natural forms, such as trees, flowers and, of course, the human figure. The three main themes present in Art Nouveau jewelry and watches were flora, fauna and women.

Art Nouveau, which reached its pinnacle in the year 1900, spawned from artists who rejected the historicism of their predecessors to create an entirely new visual vocabulary. As compared to Art Deco jewelry’s geometric patterns and sharp lines, the extravagant style of antique Art Nouveau jewelry is characterized by curvilinear forms and whiplash lines, vibrant materials and dramatic imagery.

The first art and design movement of the 20th century, Art Nouveau was also a reaction against the Industrial Revolution, and took its inspiration from the theories of the Symbolists, the art of the Pre-Raphaelites, the ideas of John Ruskin and his follower William Morris and, most importantly Japanese crafts. (The country was a fertile ground for inspiration after it was opened to the West in 1854.) The Art Nouveau style touched all manners of the arts, including the most exultant jewelry.

Nature was a favorite muse for artists going back to the 18th and 19th centuries, but in the hands of 20th-century artists, it was depicted in new ways. For example, a withering flower was considered just as beautiful as one in full bloom. Winged creatures, such as insects and birds, were also a popular subject. Dragonflies and butterflies were particular favorites because they morphed so dramatically in different life stages.

This was also a reference to women, whose role in society was evolving. It was not uncommon to see a piece of jewelry that would at once reference a woman as a winged creature (think René Lalique’s famous Dragonfly brooch, circa 1897–98, at the Gulbenkian Collection in Lisbon). However, just as women’s roles were ambiguous, so was their image, as the femmes nouvelle were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized.

In addition to Lalique, vital figures in Art Nouveau jewelry included Louis Comfort Tiffany in the United States, Vladimir Soloviev, who designed jewelry for Peter Carl Fabergé in Russia, Fuset Grau of Spain, Karl Rothmuller of Germany and Philippe Wolfers of Belgium.

Art Nouveau jewelers used every “canvas” imaginable, looking beyond brooches and necklaces to belt buckles, fans, tiaras, dog collars (a type of choker necklace), pocket watches, corsages and hair combs. Multicolored gems and enamel could complete this vision better than diamonds. Jewelers also favored pearls, particularly baroque pearls, for their large size and irregular shape. However, opal was the most popular stone — its iridescence harmonized perfectly with the enamel, and it could be carved into any shape. Art Nouveau jewelry was primarily set in yellow gold.

Find a range of antique Art Nouveau jewelry today on 1stDibs.