Sold|$2,954
Dalben Rectangular Boulder Opal Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 11,70 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold
Sold|$4,963
Dalben Australian Opal Diamond Gold Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design Opal earrings with 2 Australian Opals weighing 1,4 carats and 12 white round brillant
Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Sold|$6,382
Dalben Australian Opal Rose Gold Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k rose gold matte finishing dangle earrings with two light blue-pink
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Sold|$5,200
Dalben Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold ring with an oval cabochon solid Australian Boulder
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Sold|$4,254
Dalben Unique Boulder Opal Satin Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold satin finishing ring with a 17.44 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 10 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Dangle Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 14 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 10 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 10 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold
Sold|$5,082
Dalben Ocean View Boulder Opal Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 15,5 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold
Sold|$5,554
Dalben Deep Boulder Opal Engraved Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold handmade engraved satin finishing ring with a 11,7
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing ring with a 13,8 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 5,44 carat bezel-set lovely
Opal, 18k Gold
Sold|$6,500
Dalben Lightning Ridge Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold matte finishing ring with a 3,31 carat bezel-set oval
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Diamond Gold Band Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design Opal band ring with 6 Australian Opals and 24 white round brillant cut Diamonds
Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Diamond Gold Band Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design Opal band ring with 6 Australian Opals and 24 white round brillant cut Diamonds
Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Dalben Small Australian Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semilucid finishing ring with a 1,78 carat bezel-set small oval
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Rose Gold Earrings
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold matte finishing earrings with two bezel-set deep blue - green
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 10 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 10 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 10 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$3,427
Dalben Trilogy Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold ring with three bezel-set blue-violet-green Australian
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Grey Australian Opal Rose Gold Necklace
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design one of a kind hand crafted necklace composed of Australian opals oval bead hand
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Rectangular Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold matte finishing ring with a 6,4 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Sold|$4,372
Dalben Blue Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 13,5 carat bezel-set deep
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Dangle Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with 14 bezel set Australian Opals
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 5,95 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Small Australian Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semilucid finishing ring with a 1,48 carat bezel-set small oval
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Small Australian Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semilucid finishing ring with a 1,48 carat bezel-set small oval
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold satin finishing earrings with 10 bezel set Australian solid Opals
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing earrings with two blue bezel set
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$1,891
Dalben Small Australian Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold satin finishing tiny ring with a 1,35 carat bezel-set oval pink
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Oval Australian Opal Rose Gold Earrings
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold matte finishing small earrings with two bezel-set oval cabochon light
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Rose Gold Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k rose gold matte finishing dangle earrings with 4 light blue bezel
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold matte finishing ring with a 6,10 carat bezel-set cushion cut blue green
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Small Australian Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold semilucid finishing ring with a 1,54 carat bezel-set small oval
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold satin finishing ring with a 3,2 carat bezel-set irregular round shape
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Australian Opal Diamond Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design Opal drop earrings with 8 blue-green Australian Opals and 6 rose cut Diamonds weight
Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sold|$4,609
Dalben Trilogy Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold ring with three bezel-set blue-green Australian Boulder
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 6,5 carat bezel-set azure
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 9 carat bezel-set blue green Australian
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold matte finishing ring with a 13,80 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
Sold|$3,427
Dalben Trilogy Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt yellow gold ring with three bezel-set blue-violet-green
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Dalben 10.02 Carat Boulder Opal Satin Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold satin finishing ring with a 10.02 carat bezel-set Boulder Opal. One
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Blue Rectangular Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing ring with a 13,7 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Rainbow Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold semi lucid finishing ring with a 4,5 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Magnificent Lightning Ridge Australian Opal Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 20,37 carat oval cabochon
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Round Shape Australian Opal Yellow Gold Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k yellow gold matte finishing stud earrings with two bezel-set round cabochon
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Fish Shape Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Necklace
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 4,3 carat fish shape Australian Boulder Opal with a 18 kt cord style yellow gold
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Rainbow Australian Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k rose gold satin finishing ring with a 6,6 carat bezel-set
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Sold|$1,181 / item
Dalben Tiny Oval Australian Opal Rose Gold Earrings
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold matte finishing very little tiny earrings with two bezel-set oval
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Little Oval Australian Opal Rose Gold Earrings
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold matte finishing small earrings with two bezel-set oval cabochon green
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Australian Boulder Opal Rose Gold Dangle Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18k rose gold matte finishing dangle earrings with 4 light blue bezel
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Little Oval Australian Opal Rose Gold Earrings
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18k rose gold matte finishing little earrings with two bezel-set oval cabochon blue
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dalben Light Blue Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt yellow gold ring with a 3,15 carat bezel-set deep light blue
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Fish Shape Boulder Opal Yellow Gold Pendant
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design fish shape 18 kt satin yellow gold pendant with a 3,9 carat blue-azure Australian
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dalben Design Australian Boulder Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold matte finishing ring with a 3,98 carat bezel-set oval
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
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).