Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, B...
20th Century Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Tourmaline, Multi-gemstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Rose Gold, 10k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Opal Jewelry
Topaz, Fire Opal, Opal, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, White Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Swedish Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Vermeil
1910s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Dutch Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1890s American Arts and Crafts Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Quartz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Opal Jewelry
Carnelian, Opal, Pearl, Gold-filled, Base Metal
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Romantic Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Topaz, Black Opal, Sapphire, Peridot, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century North American Native American Opal Jewelry
Coral, Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Peridot, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
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).