Opal Jewelry
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s British Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1970s German Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Spinel...
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artist Opal Jewelry
Amber, Jade, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Emerald, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Amber, Aquamarine, Iolite, Onyx, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s British Modern Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Pearl, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Palladium, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Black Opal, Multi-gemst...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Native American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Star Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Paraiba, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 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).