Opal Jewelry
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citr...
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Aesthetic Movement Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold, Silver
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 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, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphir...
2010s French Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Pearl, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
1870s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s British Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 15k Gold
1870s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1900s Gilded Age Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Opal, Black Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Opal, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s French Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Blue Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s British Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Peridot, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Opal, Fire Opal, Ruby, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Silver, Go...
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).