Lightning Ridge Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Loose Gemstones
Black Opal, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Artist Multi-Strand Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Crystal, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Other...
2010s American Artist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Silver
2010s Hong Kong Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Artist Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Opal, Diamond, Gold, Yellow G...
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Black Opal, 18k...
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Artist Fashion Rings
Chrysophrase, Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gol...
2010s Australian Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
20th Century Arts and Crafts Cufflinks
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Ruby, Malachite, Emerald, Agate, Yellow Gold, White Go...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Spinel, Tsavorite, Green Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Opal, Multi-...
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Emerald, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Black Opal, Pink Sapphire, Peridot, Opal, Emerald, White ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Ruby, Malachite, Emerald, Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Opal, Multi-gemstone, Brown Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Diamo...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Opal, Multi-gemstone, Brown Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Diamo...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Opal, Multi-gemstone, Garnet, Brown Diamond, Yellow Diamo...
2010s American Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
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Lightning Ridge Black Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Lightning Ridge Black 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).