Finely detailed antique Edwardian carved opal cameo necklace (circa 1910s), craf
Located in Torrance, CA
The bold and beautifully detailed necklace highlights a large hand carved opal cameo drop. The side profile of a woman is carved from one solid natural piece of opal that lights up i...
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Diamond Opal Ring Carved Cameo 14K Gold Vintage Face Cocktail
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Opal Ring Cameo 14K Gold Vintage Face Cocktail This gorgeous vintage ring is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold and set with natural carved Opal cameo and diamond.
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Carved Australian Crystal Opal Diamond Platinum Cameo Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A striking brooch featuring a cameo carved from a piece of precious Australian opal, exhibiting a brilliant play of colors.
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Opal Long Carved Drop Cameo 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Giulia Colussi
Located in Milan, IT
Very nice rose carved opal drop engrave with flowers, on top 2 different old victorian sigillum engrave with lions and Grifon carved in carnelian and agate stone. 18 kt Rose gold gr....
Agate, Carnelian, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Natural Australian Opal Onyx Lady Cameo Hand Carved Loose Gemstone
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Elegant Opal Cameo on Black Onyx This striking piece features a beautifully hand-carved Australian opal cameo set against a polished black onyx background.
Onyx, Opal
50 MM Hand-Carved Australian Opal Maiden Cameo on Black Onyx Gemstone
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
This exquisite loose gemstone features a delicate, hand-carved Australian Opal cameo set against a polished Black Onyx tablet.
Onyx, Opal
Antique 2.30 Carat Black Opal and 18k Yellow Gold Cameo Ring Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Condition This impressive ring is exceptional quality, set with a stunning hand carved black opal cameo displaying a scintillating play of color.
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
John Brogden Shell Cameo Brooch and Earrings, English, circa 1870
By John Brogden
Located in London, GB
In fact, Schmidt purports to have been the first to carve cameos out of opal, which Brogden reportedly displayed in the Paris Exhibition of 1878.
Yellow Gold
Carved Opal Cameo Diamond Onyx Pendant Yellow Gold Rope Chain
Located in Bangkok, TH
Fine carved opal cameo pendant with onyx in 14K yellow gold and 18K yellow gold rope chain. 14K Onyx and Opal Cameo Pendant Gold : 14K Yellow Gold Diamond : 1 piece Opal : 1 piece O...
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
W 1.75 in L 2 in
60s Vintage Carved Opal Cameo Pendant 14k Yellow Gold Brooch Fine Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage carved opal cameo pendant/brooch crafted in 14k yellow gold (circa 1960s).
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
H 2.25 in W 1.61 in D 0.39 in L 20 in
Vintage Large Oval 14k Gold Pendant Necklace w/ Carved Opal Cameo & Diamond Halo
Located in Montclair, NJ
The pendant features a magnificent cameo of a veiled woman which was carved from a single large piece of natural opal.
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Opal Cameo Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Beautiful Carved Opal Cameo Ring - Opal Cameo Measures approximately 30mm x 22mm
Opal, 18k Gold
Sold
H 1.48 in W 2.04 in
Antique Victorian 14k Gold Iris Goddess of the Rainbow Opal & Diamond Pin Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely magnificent antique brooch that was crafted in solid 14k yellow gold during the Victorian era, featuring a large and very impressive oval carved opal cameo...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Opal 14 Karat Gold Carved Cameo Derby Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Deeply carved opal depicts the bust of a man wearing a derby hat with feather White in body color with strong spectral play-of-color With textured hair and feather Tested as 14 ka...
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Angelskin Coral Gold Carved Cameo Shell Necklace
By Karen Sugarman Designs
Located in Colleyville, TX
The piece de resistance is the gorgeous Victorian carved angelskin coral cameo set in an intricate 14k gold setting - which additionally, can also be worn as a brooch.
Coral, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Carved Opal Cameo Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A unique ring featuring a carved white Australian opal. It is accented by 16 round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing a total of 0.13 carats. Hand-fabricated in platinum and ready to be...
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Opal Cameo Gem-Set Brooch Pendant, Wilhelm Schmidt, circa 1880s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Renaissance Revival Opal Cameo Gem-set and Enamel Brooch Pendant, ca. 1880s A beautiful and rare carved Opal cameo brooch pendant depicting Aphrodite?
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold
Renaissance Revival Carved Opal Cameo Pendant
Located in London, GB
The cameo is carved from opal and is attributed to William Schmidt, who invented a new process for cutting opals in 1874.
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Fine Carved Australian Opal Roman Warrior Cameo
Located in Boston, Lincolnshire
An Outstaniding Antique c.1900 fine relief carved solid Australian Opal cameo with an image of Roman warrior.
Opal
Extraordinary Antique Egyptian Revival Carved Boulder Opal Pendant
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A work of art in carved boulder opal cameo, the antique pendant is finely detailed on both sides and measures 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" The 14kt. yellow gold chain measures 14" .
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful stretch silk leopard print dress from Dolce & Gabbana. The bodice has adjustable straps, functional and adjustable side lacing through to the hips plus rows of top st...
Hermes Birkin HSS 35 Porosus Crocodile Black Red La Rosee One of a Kind Bag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an extraordinary one of a kind Hermes 35 Birkin HSS bag. Black porosus crocodile with the dewdrop detailed La Rosee red velvet rose on front. This special order B...
Chanel Black Mini Logo Satin Silk Texturized Shoulder Tote
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Rare Satin Silk Texturized Mini Vintage Logo Tote 1991 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Gold hardware CC turn-lock top closure Gold metallic interior Internal slip pocket 6.5" H x 6.7" W...
$105,905
H 10.83 in W 13.78 in D 7.09 in
Hermès Birkin HSS 35 Crocodile Porosus Lisse Honey Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Berlin, DE
Hermès Birkin HSS 35 in honey and shiny crocodile porosus leather with gold hardware. The bag is in very good condition, has a small mark on one corner as pictured. Comes as full set...
Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful silk dress in a pink and green geometric print from Dolce & Gabbana. The bodice is vertically boned, fitted through to the hips and has an attached matching pink adjusta...
Chanel Classic Small Baby Blue RARE 24k GHW Lambskin
By Chanel
Located in Roosendaal, NL
From the collection of SAVINETI we offer this Chanel Classic Flap Small: - Brand: Chanel - Model: Classic Flap Small - Color: Baby Blue - Year: 1991-1994 - Condition: Good Vintage C...
$35,000
H 2.76 in W 3.55 in D 2.76 in
Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown Tiara Haircomb Necklace, circa 1880s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown Haircomb Necklace, ca. 1880s A very unusual and stunning Victorian crown, set with fiery opal cabochons and old-mine cut diamonds, from the 1880s. T...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
Christian Dior by John Galliano 2005 Silk Nude Embellished Dress Fr. 42 US 10
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage Christian Dior by John Galliano Silk Embellished Dress 2005 Collection French size 42 ( US 10 ) Silver tone beads over the beige silk, Signature Galliano little buttons closu...
Unique Rose Cut and Full Cut Diamond Necklace
By Diamond Scene New York
Located in New York, NY
37.65 carats of beautiful white diamonds set in 18k white gold. The necklace is handmade in a mesh style setting. Very elegant and classic design. 16 inch length
Diamond, 18k Gold
Hermes Limited Edition Mini Kelly 20 Sellier Beton Matte Alligator Bag Gold Hard
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a Limited Edition Hermes Kelly 20 Sellier bag featured in Beton Matte Alligator. This mini Kelly bag is light gray with bone undertone (beton + concrete), and the n...
$2,275
Size: 32 A / Small
1960s Christian Dior 32A Silk Three Piece Bloomers Bra 60s Vintage Lingerie Set
By Christian Dior
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare 1960s Christian Dior silk lingerie set ! Features baby blue silk bloomer shorts that have a button closure on the back. Two different bras—one in pink, and one in ivory. Dior lo...
Iconic Spectacular Thierry Mugler SS 1997 Gown 'Kiss of the Spiderwoman'
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Behold the breathtaking embodiment of high drama and couture mastery: The stunning extremely rare Thierry Mugler "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" evening gown from the legendary Spring/Summ...
5.10 Carat Spinel and Diamond Three-Stone Platinum Engagement Ring, No Heat
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in Brunswick, ME
A vibrant purple-pinkish red 4.16 carat cushion-cut natural untreated Spinel is the centerpiece of this ring. The vibrant gemstone is highlighted by two round brilliant cut diamonds ...
Diamond, Spinel, Platinum
Gucci Backless Silk Halter Gown S/S 2010
By Frida Giannini, Gucci
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous elegant black silk dress from Gucci S/S 2010 collection. The halter style dress has a front plunging cut out below a fabulous silver grey choker style collar with adjustab...
Hermes Birkin Special Order 35 Bag Rose Indien and Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Birkin HSS 35 bag featured in exquisite unicorn rare Rose Indien and Fuschia Porosus Crocodile. Utterly extraordinary, this beautiful rare bag is a superb...
Thierry Mugler Fall 1992 Red Runway Suit Jacket Skirt Museum Worthy
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Iconic rare Collectors Piece. Famously presented on the Thierry Mugler’s Fall/Winter 1992 GLAMOUR PUNK-THE RITZ Collection Runway as well as worn by the gorgeous Monica Bellucci on t...
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).