Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1930s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling S...
2010s North American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Turquoise, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Hessonite, Opal, Amber, Sterling Silver
1890s Unknown Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s American Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Rose Gold
1950s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Morganite, Multi-gemstone, Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yello...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1890s Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
1960s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tanzanite, Opal, Black Diamond, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Opal, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Spinel, Bronze
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 10k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Coral, Garnet, Jade, Moonstone, Opal, Cultured Pearl, Quartz, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Opal, Silver, 22k Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Chrysoberyl, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Dutch Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Peridot, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Fire Opal, Opal, Platinum
2010s Italian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold-filled
2010s French Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Blue Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s German Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
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).