Art Deco Black Opal Old Mine Cut Diamond Rock Crystal Necklace 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
THESE ARE VERY LARGE OPALS! THE NECKLACE IS 18 INCHES LONG. IT HAS A MAGNIFICENT CLASP SET WITH A CENTRAL BLACK OPAL CABOCHON SURROUNDED BY A HALO OF OLD MINE CUT DIAMONDS IN 14 KA...
Opal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$9,921Sale Price|55% Off
Dark Opal Pink Sapphires gold ring Engagement Azalea Flower
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary custom made engagement ring/promise ring features a unique interplay of naturally beautiful gemstones. An Australian Opal is securely prong set sideways in the cent...
Opal, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$207Sale Price|30% Off
Natural Black Fire Opal Ring in 925 Sterling Silver -Handmade with Play of Color
Located in Peshawar, PK
Handcrafted in 925 sterling silver, it features a mesmerizing black opal cabochon with a brilliant, vivid play-of-color—flashes of green, blue, and red that shift beautifully under t...
Opal, Fire Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 18K Gold & Palladium AGL Australian Black Opal Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Prong Set in Palladium with: One (1) natural, oval-shaped, cabochon cut black opal: Species: Natural Opal Variety: Natural Black Opal Geographic Origin: Australia Measurements: 12....
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Palladium
18K White Gold AGL Australian Multi Colored Black Opal Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Bezel Set in 18 Karat White Gold with: One (1) natural, oval-shaped, cabochon cut black opal: Species: Natural Opal Variety: Natural Black Opal Geographic Origin: Australia Measure...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$10,325Sale Price|20% Off
20 Carat Australian Coober Pedy Opal & Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Natural Australian Coober Pedy Opal & Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace. Large 20 Carat opal with beautiful play of colour, lots of colour flashes under direct light. Bl...
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
lack Opal Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace in 18K White Gold – 85ct Natural Opal
Located in Chatsworth, CA
A breathtaking expression of luxury and rarity, this black opal and diamond heart pendant necklace showcases an extraordinary large cabochon-cut natural opal, radiating mesmerizing f...
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
10Ct Oval Shape Black Australian Opal Cocktail Ring 14 Kt Yellow Gold, SIZE 6.5
Located in New York, NY
Approximately 10 Ct Oval Shape Black Australian Opal Cocktail Ring 14 Kt Yellow Gold, SIZE 6.5 Introducing our captivating 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring featuring a breathtaking...
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
5 Ct Oval Shape Black Australian Opal Cocktail Ring 14 Kt Yellow Gold , Unisex
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our captivating 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring featuring a breathtaking 5 carat oval-shaped Black Australian Opal Cabochon . This remarkable piece showcases the opal'...
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Peter Suchy 4.90 Carat Boulder Opal Garnet Sapphire White Gold Pendant Necklace
By Peter Suchy
Located in Stamford, CT
The 18K white gold setting enhances the brilliance of these gems, creating a timeless piece worthy of the most sophisticated occasions. 2 black cabochon natural boulder opals, appr...
Garnet, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Australian Opal Diamond Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This S.Georgios designer 18 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Australian Opal ring is all custom made by hand and features a stunning cabochon cut Natural beautiful color Opal total weight o...
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citr...
Vintage 9K Yellow Gold Lava Stone Cameo, Opal and Emerald Charm Link Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, IT
Adding a wonderfully eclectic and precious rhythm to the link chain are two asymmetric talisman charms: One charm is designed as a stylized , set with a mesmerizing dark matrix blac...
Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Multi Gems Mother of Pearl Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Geneva, CH
Multi Gems cabochon, Mother of Pearl and small diamond on Gold Pendant chain Necklace. Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby, Turquoise Matrix, Amethyst, Pearl, Opal, Citrine, Peridot, Garnet, Di...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Pearl,...
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).