Opal Jewelry
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Garnet, Tsavorite, Spinel, Peridot, Opal, Gold, Yellow G...
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
2010s Australian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Blue Sapphire, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
1810s French George III Antique Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Malachite, Rock Crystal, Topaz, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1880s Italian Etruscan Revival Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Tsavorite, Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s German Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
Mid-20th Century Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Tanzanite, Larimar, Turquoise, Sapphire, Rainbow Moonstone, Quartz, Opal...
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Fire Opal, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Opal, Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gol...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Etruscan Revival Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary German Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Quartz, Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite, Hema...
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Rose Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold
1980s Dutch Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k 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).