Opal Jewelry
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k ...
1970s Swiss Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s North American Native American Opal Jewelry
Coral, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
2010s Australian Artist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, Black Opal, 18k Gol...
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amazonite, Opal, Tanzanite, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold...
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
19th Century Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Revival Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Modernist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Japanese Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Platinum
1910s Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Japanese Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium
Early 2000s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapp...
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).





