Opal Jewelry
2010s Ethiopian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 10k Gold, White Gold
1940s Australian Modernist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Swiss Modernist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s British Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Opal Jewelry
Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1880s European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, G...
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
1980s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
20th Century American Native American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Opal, Quartz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Opal, Silver, 22k Gold
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Citrine, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, Amethys...
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s British Opal Jewelry
Topaz, Natural Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapph...
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1990s Australian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Moonstone, Opal, Sapphire, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k 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).