Opal Jewelry
1980s Unknown Renaissance Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Rhodolite, Apatite, Tanzanite, Peridot, Opal, Garnet, Citrine, Amethyst,...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century American Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Mixe...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Quartz, Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite, Hema...
19th Century Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Fire Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Opal, 22k Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Dutch Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
1940s North American Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tsavorite, Opal, Garnet, Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1940s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Citrine, Multi-gemstone, Turquoise, Topaz, Quartz, Opal, Onyx, Lapis Laz...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Crystal, Opal, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Beryl, Multi-gemstone, Garnet, Citrine, Zircon, Topaz, Spinel, Peridot, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1860s English Holbeinesque Antique Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Opal, 18k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century British Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, 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).