Opal Jewelry
1980s Australian Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold
1990s Chinese Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
1990s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s European Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century British Retro Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
Late 20th Century British Retro Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1990s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Modernist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s British Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Late Victorian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
1930s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, 10k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 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).