Opal Jewelry
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal
Mid-20th Century Anglo-Indian Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Pearl,...
21st Century and Contemporary North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 18th Century French Napoleon III Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Opal, Bronze
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1910s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1920s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Tourmaline, Black Pearl, Opal, Chrysophrase, Sterling Silver, Silver, Go...
19th Century European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Silver
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, 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).