Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Ruby, Quartz, Pearl, Opal, Diamond, Carnelian, Sterling Silve...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
1980s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Ruby, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Mexican Retro Opal Jewelry
Onyx, Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Opal, Quartz, Sterling Silver
2010s British Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, 10k Gold, White Gold
1810s French George III Antique Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Malachite, Rock Crystal, Topaz, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
20th Century Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Opal, 22k Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
1990s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Australian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
1960s British Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
1960s American Contemporary Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Vermeil
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Zircon, Fire Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, White 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).