Opal Jewelry
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Hessonite, Opal, Amber, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Peruvian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Multi-gemstone, Onyx, Opal, Pe...
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Opal, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Silver
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire,...
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s German Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Opal, Turquoise, Vermeil
20th Century North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Enamel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Retro Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s Italian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s British Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1880s British Renaissance Revival Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k 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).