Opal Jewelry
2010s Italian Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Agate, Carnelian, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amazonite, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
19th Century Italian Artisan Antique Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal, Gold-filled
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Labradorite, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Coral, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artist Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Malachite, Opal, Natural Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Opal, Turquoise, Vermeil
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Opal, Turquoise, Gold-filled
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Citrine, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Turquoise, Amber, Citrine, Gold-filled
2010s Italian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Enamel
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artist Opal Jewelry
Amber, Jade, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Bronze
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Zircon, Mixed Metal
2010s Italian Artist Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tiger's Eye, Agate, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Bronze
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Tanzanite, Bronze
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Bronze
Antique and Vintage Opal Jewelry
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).