Australian Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Dangle Earrings
Opal, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Brooches
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Figurines and Sculptures
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Cocktail Rings
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Amber, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s American Bangles
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Opal, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Victorian Loose Gemstones
Onyx, Opal
2010s Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Dangle Earrings
Emerald, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, 14k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1980s Australian Romantic Brooches
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
2010s French Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
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Australian Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an Australian 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).
- 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.
- 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.