Opal Jewelry
Early 20th Century English Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, T...
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Crystal
20th Century American Native American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modernist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Black Jade, Black Opal, Jade, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
20th Century Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Onyx, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold
19th Century Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1950s Mexican Modernist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Malachite, Opal, Natural Pearl, Quartz, Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s North American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k ...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1870s English Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 22k Gold, Silver
Early 2000s Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Zircon, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Revival Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1930s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
2010s Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
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).