Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Ruby, Aquamarine, Tanzanite, Opal, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Onyx, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Apatite, Gold, Sterling Silver
1960s American Modernist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Amber, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sap...
1960s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Tsavorite, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s American Modernist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1970s American Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl
1990s Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Turquoise, Blue Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, Enamel, Gold
2010s African Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal
2010s British Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Chrysocolla, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Agate, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Peridot, Quartz, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s North American Artisan Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 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).