Opal Jewelry
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, Gold-filled, Silver
2010s Indian Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Quartz, Silver
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Fire Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, ...
2010s Dutch Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1930s Australian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
1970s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s American Romantic Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Romantic Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Tourmaline, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Ruby, Tourmaline, Opal, Pearl, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Natural Pearl, Silver, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Carnelian, Fire Opal, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Opal, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Agate, Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Moonstone, Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Palladium
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose 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).