Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Other, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Greek Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Gothic Revival Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Silver
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Pe...
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tanzanite, Apatite, Rhodolite, Peridot, Opal, Garnet, Citrine, Amethyst,...
2010s Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, Gold, Gold Plate
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Yellow Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Opal, Diamond, Amethyst, Amber, Agate, Sterling ...
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Other, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
1910s French Belle Époque Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Rubelite, Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Belle Époque Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1980s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tanzanite, Apatite, Rhodolite, Peridot, Opal, Garnet, Citrine, Amethyst,...
2010s American Native American Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, Turquoise, Black Jade, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Purple Sapphire, Fire Opal, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphi...
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Fire Opal, Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Opal, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
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).