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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).
- Is a Peruvian opal a real opal?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, a Peruvian opal is a real opal, but it’s classified as a common opal rather than a precious opal. It’s the precious opal that’s known for it’s flashes of fire and brilliance. A common opal has a milky and pastel appearance. Find vintage and contemporary Peruvian opal jewelry from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Is Opal expensive?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, Opal can be expensive. Black Opals in particular are quite valuable and may earn prices of up to $10,000 a carat. White opals are the least expensive of the opal family.
- What is an Australian opal?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Today, Australia and Ethiopia are the two largest producers of opals. Historically, most of the world’s opals were mined in South Australia. The stone is so closely associated with Australia that in 1993 it became the national gemstone. 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. Shop a collection of vintage and modern Australian opal jewelry from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- What does Opal symbolize?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021An opal symbolizes love, passion and desire. People know the stone for its seductive qualities that tend to intensify emotional states.
- What is the rarest Opal?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The Aurora Australis is the world's most valuable black opal valued at 1 Million AUD. The stone is 180 carat and contains a variety of colors.
- What is a solid Opal?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A solid opal is a natural stone that is cut and polished without any man-made caps or backings applied to the stone. It is in a raw state and its properties are not interfered with. Find opal jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- What is a cabochon Opal?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A cabochon opal is an opal that’s cut in a dome shape. There are two types of opal: common and precious. The former is, as its name implies, not very rare. Precious opal, on the other hand, is more rare than diamonds and considered very high quality.
- How much is an opal worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021An opal's value is determined based on a set of characteristics. Namely, the type of opal, body tone, brilliance, pattern, color bar thickness, play of color, and faults are taken into account by an appraiser when determining the value of the stone. Typically, black or dark bodied opals are regarded as more valuable than those with a light body tone.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021An Australian boulder opal is an opal mined from a large ironstone boulder under the ground. This type of opal is the second most valuable opal behind the black opal. Spot an Australian boulder opal by checking for a solid layer of brown ironstone left on the back of the stone. Shop Australian boulder opals on 1stDibs.
- Are opals worth anything?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Usually opals with darker tones are worth more than those with lighter or white tones because the colors are more vibrant in darker opals. White opals are more common than their darker colored counterparts. Good quality white opals can be worth up to around $148 USD per carat, while black opals can fetch as much as $11,000 USD or more per carat.
- Can opal rings be worn everyday?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Opal rings are very delicate compared to other stones, and are not recommended for everyday wear. However, with proper care, they can last through the generations. Shop a collection of expertly vetted gems from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Are opal rings Bad luck?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although opals were considered good luck in Roman culture and a symbol of good luck, there are many legends that link opals with death and bad omens.
- Is opal good for wedding rings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023Yes, opal can be good for wedding rings. Many people love the unique coloration of opals and opt for wedding rings set with them. One thing to keep in mind is that opals are more delicate than many other gemstones like sapphires, rubies and diamonds, so they are more vulnerable to scratching and breakage. It is a good idea to remove your wedding ring before working with tools, performing chores, playing sports or engaging in other activities that could potentially damage your opal. Explore a variety of opal wedding rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023No, opals aren't bad for engagement rings. One drawback of the gemstone is that it isn't as hard as many other popular gems, like diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, so it may be more susceptible to scratches. However, you can still choose an opal engagement ring if you wish. Taking it off before you engage in activities that could damage the ring can help extend its life. Shop an assortment of opal engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021No, opal is not good for engagement rings. Although opal is a beautiful stone, it is not the best choice for an engagement ring. Since they are relatively fragile compared to diamonds and sapphires, opals are not durable for daily wear.
- How much is a fire opal worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021One carat of fire opal can be worth as little as $50 or as much as $10,000. The value depends on the quality and origin. For instance, Mexican and Australian fire opals are generally more expensive than fire opals from other countries.
- Do opal engagement rings last?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023Yes, an opal engagement ring can last if you care for it properly. Generally, opals are more delicate than other gemstones commonly used in engagement rings, like diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. As a result, they can be easily damaged, making it important that you take your ring off before performing household chores, exercising, playing sports or doing other activities where you'll use your hands a lot. Find a collection of opal engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- Can you wear an opal ring everyday?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021No, you cannot wear an opal ring everyday. Since they are relatively fragile compared to other stones, opals are not durable for daily-wear.Dover JewelryFebruary 24, 2021Not recommended! Opals are more delicate then other gemstones and if cared for correctly will last a lifetime and can be handed down throughout generations.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To see if your black opal is real, check the potch on the back. Double-sided opals are rare, so if there is a lack of potch and color all the way through, this could indicate a fake. Shop a collection of expertly vetted opals from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, opal engagement rings can be a good idea. This stone represents faithfulness, confidence, and creativity -- making the stone a fitting choice for an engagement ring. Opals, however, are not ideal for everyday wear.