Opal Beads
2010s North American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Fire Opal, 22k Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Beaded Bracelets
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Labradorite, Pearl, Opal
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Onyx, Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
White Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, Zircon, White Diamond, Oriental Pearl, Opal, Citrine, 14...
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Opal, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Labradorite, Opal, Gold Plate
2010s American Arts and Crafts Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s Peruvian Modern Beaded Bracelets
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s European Modern Beaded Bracelets
Pink Sapphire, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s European Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Ethiopian Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Peruvian Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s European Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century European Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beaded Necklaces
Moonstone, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Pink Sapphire, Tanzanite, Amethyst, Fire Opal, Rainbow Moonstone, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Ruby, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Romantic Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Chrysophrase, Multi-gemstone, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Romantic Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Amber, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Romantic Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s American Romantic Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s North American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Silver
2010s American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Spinel, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Vermeil
2010s Indian Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Topaz, Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Black Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Opal Beads For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Opal Beads?
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).