Harlequin Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Platinum
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s French Art Deco Fashion Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century European Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Artisan Vanity Items
Opal
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1870s Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century American Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Mandarin Garnet, Black Opal, Gold,...
Vintage 1970s French Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s European Retro Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Black Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Brooches
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Antique 1790s Georgian Dome Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Italian Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Australian Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Bridal Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Cocktail Rings
Topaz, Black Opal, Sapphire, Peridot, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s British Victorian Cluster Rings
Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Wedding Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Harlequin Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Harlequin Opal?
The Legacy of Opal in Jewelry Design
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).