Opal Jewelry
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
1980s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Fire Opal
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Native American Vintage Opal Jewelry
Coral, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Opal, Diamond, Gold, Yellow G...
2010s British Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapp...
1910s German Jugendstil Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver, 10k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pink Sapphire, Tanzanite, Amethyst, Fire Opal, Rainbow Moonstone, ...
2010s Australian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Ruby, Opal, Malachite, Hematite, Diamond, Agate, Sterling Si...
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
1990s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
Mid-20th Century Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s British Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapp...
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
1940s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Paraiba, Tsavorite, Blue Sapphire, Opal, Aquamarine, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold
1960s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century American Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
1960s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s English Holbeinesque Antique Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Opal, 18k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
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).