Art Nouveau French Snake Bracelet Covered Dial Watch
Located in Firenze, IT
The snake's head, however, hides a clock with a mechanical movement and is set with five brilliant-cut diamonds. The head, however, is further embellished by the eyes and a collar se...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,702Sale Price|20% Off
Bubble Ring in White Gold And Neon Enamel
By Cristina Cipolli Jewellery
Located in London, Richmond
Modern ring in recycled white gold and neon enamel, set with white opal, white jasper and natural diamond.
Opal, Diamond, Jasper, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Rare Plique a Jour Pendant, Hemmerle
By Hemmerle
Located in New York, NY
The vermeiled sterling silver pendant displays a wonderful and unusual combination of faceted Mexican Opals (orange) set against into deep green plique a jour enamel settings in the ...
Opal, Sterling Silver, 10k Gold, Vermeil
18K Yellow Gold Multi-Gemstone & Diamond Asymmetrical Linear Drop Earrings
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
Featuring a dynamic mix of round tourmaline, pear-cut opal, and oval tanzanite stones set along delicate diamond-paved bars and ear hooks, these mismatched drop earrings offer a mode...
Tanzanite, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GUCCI Turquoise Diamond Yellow Gold Le Marché Des Merveilles Feline Earrings
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Gucci earrings from the Le Marche Des Merveilles Feline collection feature intricate cat-shaped designs, most visible from the back, crafted in 18k yellow gold and set...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgian Ruby, Emerald, Diamond and Gold Cannetille Brooch-Pendant, Circa 1830
Located in London, GB
Czech garnets, turquoise and opals were often set in pieces from central Europe.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold
Vintage Handcrafted Navajo Sterling Silver Necklace
Located in Milford, DE
Handcrafted Navajo Sterling Silver Necklace Fire-Opal Glass Cabochon • Southwestern Beadwork • Vintage Native American Jewelry Genuine handcrafted Navajo sterling silver necklace, f...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$1,200
B & M Tanzanite Ring
By Unbranded
Located in New York, NY
Vintage B&M designed ring with a Tanzanite center stone; accented with diamonds and opal inlays set in solid yellow gold. Weight: 2.2 grams Size: 7.25 Materials: 14k yellow gold, Ta...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14k 18k Gold Charm Bracelet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Among them are a miniature trumpet, an Eiffel Tower, a red enamel wine jug, a lucky horseshoe with a classical profile, a pointing hand, and a star-shaped charm set with opals. Each ...
14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Mother of Pearl Diamond Bamboo Detail 14K Rose Gold Pendant Chain Necklace
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
A refined pendant necklace featuring an oval white mother of pearl centerpiece, encircled by a delicate arrangement of small, sparkling diamonds. The opal is set in a gold frame with...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
7.41 carat Finest Diamond-Cut Rainbow Moonstone Solitaire Ring, Talkative 2025
By Talkative
Located in Dallas, TX
Her work highlights rare gemstones such as opals, pearls, and diamonds, set in high-karat gold with bold, sculptural forms that balance elegance and individuality.
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pear Teardrop White Cabochon Moonstone Diamonds Halo 14K Gold Statement Earrings
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
These exquisite earrings feature smooth, teardrop-shaped stones, each surrounded by a delicate halo of sparkling diamonds. The opals are set in a sleek 14k gold frame, enhancing thei...
Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold
$2,847Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Black & White pendant by Achille e Piergiacomo Castiglioni for Flos
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Piacenza, Italy
The diffused lighting is obtained by means of a dome in white opal glass, containing a set of bulbs; the one oriented towards the horizontal surfaces is instead due to a corrugated c...
Opaline Glass
$3,167 / item
Giso Pendant by W.H. Gispen for Gispen, 1950s
By Gispen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
These lamps originate from a church in Kralingen, Rotterdam,where they illuminated the space for many years. Constructed from opal glass set within an aluminum shade, secured by four...
Aluminum, Nickel
Edgar Gilstrap Simpson ARTS & CRAFTS INKWELL, RUSKIN POTTERY LINER C.1900
By Ruskin Pottery
Located in Stourbridge, West Midlands
Other pieces by Simpson include: silver cloak clasps, gold pendants set with opal and amethysts, silver pendants, brooches, buttons with enamel, and a pendant with an opal in matrix.
Copper
Trifari Art Deco Tutti Frutti Link Bracelet, Alfred Philippe
By Alfred Philippe for Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Trifari by Alfred Philippe, Art Deco bracelet with faux blue moonstone and opal "fruits" set into a crystal pave chevron linked bracelet.
Gilt Metal
1970s Red Danish Cream and Sugar Bowls in Glass by Michael Bang for Holmegaard
By Michael Bang, Holmegaard
Located in Knebel, DK
The well designed hand blown opal glass set with it´s 1970´s colors is in very good condition.
Opaline Glass
$4,950
Platinum Black Opal Ring
Located in Sarasota, FL
Indulge in the luxurious beauty of our Platinum Black Opal Ring. This exquisite piece features a mesmerizing black opal, radiating with captivating hues, set in a sleek platinum band.
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
An opal and diamond Art Deco pendant
Located in London, GB
An opal and diamond Art Deco pendant, to the centre an oval cabochon-cut opal measuring 14.5x11.5mm, set with four old-cut diamonds, one on each side, all within a ribbon-like frame ...
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Victorian Opal and Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in London, GB
An Victorian opal and diamond flower brooch, with a central old brilliant-cut diamond in a silver collet and five petals each set at centre with an oval opal, surrounded by grain-set...
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
A gold and opal galleon made by Bentley & Skinner
Located in London, GB
Extremely detailed and wonderfully crafted, the ship’s hull is set with a magnificently colourful opal. The opal’s deep blues, greens and pinks are fiery and bright, providing a wond...
Opal, 18k Gold
A mid-20th century opal and diamond drop earrings
Located in London, GB
A mid-20th century opal and diamond drop earrings, each earring with a pear-shaped cabochon-cut opal, each measuring approximately 22 x 9mm and estimated to weigh a combined total of...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum
A Multi Gem-set Charm Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A multi gem-set charm bracelet, the fetter link platinum chain millegrain rub-over set with twenty-one round brilliant-cut diamonds, estimated to weigh a total of 1.0 carat, suspend...
Platinum
Steven Battelle 1.2 Carats Ethiopian Opal 18K Gold Pendant
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
Approximately 6 x 8 mm and 7 x 9 mm oval and trillium shaped "Welo mine" Ethiopian opal cabochons are set in artisan crafted "line texture" 18K gold bezels with a double "jawan" gran...
Opal, 18k Gold
Dalben Design Australian Boulder Opal and Rose Gold Necklace
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a Kind 18k rose gold matte finishing necklace with two bezel-set Australian Boulder Opals weight 3,18 carat.
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
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).