Opal Jewelry
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Spinel, Bronze
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Romantic Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Brass, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1910s Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Retro Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Opal, Fire Opal, Ruby, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Silver, Go...
2010s Turkish Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s European Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s European Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Quartz, Rose Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Spinel, Topaz, Other, Purple Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapp...
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold, Silver
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).