On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate opal set for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from
Gold,
18k Gold and
Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 104 vintage editions and 144 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect opal set among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Creating an opal set has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by
Susan Lister Locke,
Kary Adam and
Sarosi By Timeless Gems are consistently popular. An opal set can be a stylish choice for most occasions, but
Opal rings, from our inventory of 207, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, day or night. Today, if you’re looking for a
cabochon version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes
oval cut and
round cut alternatives. Most of our opal set for sale are for
women, but there are 92 pieces available to browse for
men.
Prices for an opal set can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $145 and can go as high as $195,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $2,940.
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).
