Opal Jewelry
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1930s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
17th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Onyx, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Black Opal, Gold, Enamel
1960s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, Malachite, Opal, Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Sterling...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold
2010s Japanese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Retro Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century British Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, Silver, Enamel
1910s Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
1930s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal
Early 20th Century British Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century British Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Citrine, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, Amethys...
1970s Australian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, T...
1910s American Romantic Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 10k Gold
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century British Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Unknown Artist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, 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).