Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Moonstone, Opal, Pearl, Rainbow Moonstone, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Quartz
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tanzanite, Rhodolite, Apatite,...
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterl...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
2010s American Romantic Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Sterling Silver
1990s European Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Fire Opal, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapph...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Diamond, Brown Diamond,...
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1890s Unknown Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, Enamel
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Russian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s German Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 15k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Fire Opal, Opal, 14k Gold, White 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).