Opal Jewelry
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century French Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Mandarin Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Opal Jewelry
Beryl, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Peridot, Ruby, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold,...
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Paraiba, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-18th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 24k Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Contemporary Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Danish Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Pearl, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amazonite, Carnelian, Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Topaz, Rhodium, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 14k 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).