Opal Jewelry
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Unknown Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Opal, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Late Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
1990s European Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Tourmaline, Opal, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Retro Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1880s English Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold,...
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Gold, 14k 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
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
19th Century European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 2000s French Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Crystal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Zircon, Sterling Silver
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Fire Opal, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Modernist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century English Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Crystal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 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).