Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Opal, Brass, 14k Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Diamond, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Opal Jewelry
Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Onyx, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Crystal, Opal, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Romantic Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, 10k Gold
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Baroque Revival Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Go...
20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Topaz, Fire Opal, Blue Topaz, Ruby, Opal, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, B...
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Artisan Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Topaz, Black Opal, Sapphire, Peridot, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, 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).