Antique Silver Plated Bar Brooch with Three Doublet Boulder Opals
Located in London, GB
Fabulous antique silver plated bar brooch with three doublet boulder opals in an ornate setting.
Antique Silver Plated Bar Brooch with Three Doublet Boulder Opals
Located in London, GB
Fabulous antique silver plated bar brooch with three doublet boulder opals in an ornate setting.
Boulder Opal Pendant Colorful Blue Natural Australian Gemstone Unisex gift
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver pendant with natural Boulder Opal gemstone origin - Australia gem size is 0.16 x 0,51 x 0,94 in / 4 x 13 x 24 mm stone weight - 14 carats pendant length - 1,22 in / 34 mm pen...
Opal, Silver
Boulder Opal Necklace Australian Gemstone Ivy Art Nouveau style gift
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
Ivy pendant with natural Boulder Opal in patinated silver on 100% silk black cord (handmade in Japan) opal origin - Australia opal weight - 122 carats pendant weight - 58 grams pend...
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Boulder Opal Earrings Middle-Earth Tolkien Lord of the Rings
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
"Map of the Middle-Earth" - Boulder Opal earrings in yellow gold and blackened silver opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.79 х 1.18 in / 20 х 30 mm opal weight - 44.20 cara...
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Australian Boulder Opal and Diamonds Pendant Necklace N3848
By Paradizia
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Item # N3848 Materials and Weight Australian Boulder opal and pave diamonds 71cts, 32x37mm Rhodium sterling silver 14k white gold link necklace Dimensions Length 17 inches.
14k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Boulder Opal Link Bracelet Meteorite 22k 18k Gold "Messages from the Gods"
By Jennifer Kalled
Located in Wolfeboro, NH
Perfectly adaptable for casual day wear and for a night on the town. Boulder opal Meteorite (from the Aletai meteor in Xinjiang China) 22k 18k 14k Sterling silver 7.25" Link Bracelet
Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
18k Gold Australian Boulder Opal and South Sea Pearl Pendant
By Angelina Fine Jewelry
Located in Amsterdam, NH
They come in a range of beautiful and natural colors, including white, silver, gold, and champagne. Australian boulder opal is a unique and rare gemstone that is only found in a fe...
Opal, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
$1,820Sale Price|30% Off
Turquoise, Boulder Opal, Pearl, Ancient Coin and Raw Diamond Bohemian Bracelet
By Vicki Orr Designs
Located in Naples, FL
Bohemian style bracelet links Australian Boulder Opal, Turquoise Mountain Turquoise (closed mine in Arizona, USA), authentic ancient Byzantine coin (Maurice Tiberius, 1/2 Follis, 582...
Diamond, Opal, Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Turqu...
Boulder Opal Cuff Bracelet Alaskan Gold Nugget Diamond Sapphire Tsavorite Garnet
By Jennifer Kalled
Located in Wolfeboro, NH
A Boulder Opal with stunning fire of green, gold, and orange in this cuff bracelet. Accents of sapphire, diamond, tsavorite and an Alaskan gold nugget. One of a Kind. In the imaginat...
Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Sapphire, Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22...
Opal Silver Pendant Mens jewelry Natural Australian opal gift
Located in Berlin, DE
925 solid sterling silver pendant with natural Boulder Koroit Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.2 х 0.79 х 0.98 in / 5 х 20 х 25 mm opal weight - 25 carats pendant ...
Opal, Silver
Boulder Opal East West Necklace 22k 18k 14k Gold with Diamond Cut Chain
By Jennifer Kalled
Located in Wolfeboro, NH
Boulder opal 2.5" long east to west Necklace 14k diamond cut chain 22k 14k Sterling silver App. 16-18" length
Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Silver, 14k Gold
Boulder Opal Pendant Tourmaline Garnet Alaskan Gold Nuggets 22k 18k SS
By Jennifer Kalled
Located in Wolfeboro, NH
The Wood Fairy pendant captures nature's enchantment through a carefully curated composition of materials. Boulder opal in matrix showcases mesmerizing green fire and flash, paired w...
14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
Large Opal Silver Ring Multicolor Magic Forest Natural Australian
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
Big silver ring with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.12 x 0.55 x 0.94 in / 3 х 14 х 24 mm stone weight - 9.85 carats ring size - 9 US ring weight ...
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Big Opal Silver Ring Bicolor Blue Yellow Australian Unisex Jewelry
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver ring with natural Boulder Opal Opal origin - Australia Opal measurements - 0.2 x 0.59 x 0.87 in / 5 х 15 х 22 mm ring size - 8.75 US ring weight - 12.5 grams We ship our j...
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Large Opal Necklace silver Blue Genuine Australian Gemstome LOTR Style Pendant
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver pendant with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.16 x 3,94 x 1,57 in / 4 x 15 x 40 mm stone weight - 22.70 carat pendant lenght - 51 mm pendant...
Opal, Silver
Opal Silver Ring Triangle Multicolor Neon Sea Green Natural Australian Gemstone
Located in Berlin, DE
Large matte finish silver ring with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia ring weight - 11.5 grams ring size - 10 1/4 US / 62.5 EU opal measurements - 0.28 х 0.55 x 0.94 in /...
Opal, Silver
Big Opal Silver Ring gift Triangle Multicolor Neon Sea Green Natural Australian
Located in Berlin, DE
Large matte finish 925 solid sterling silver ring with natural Boulder Opal opal origin - Australia ring weight - 11.5 grams ring size - 10 1/4 US / 62.5 EU opal measurements - 0.28...
Opal, Silver
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).