Opal Jewelry
1910s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Turkish Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Peruvian Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Rainbow Moonstone, 22k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Kyanite, Emerald, Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Peridot, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, Opal, Emerald, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Opal Jewelry
Carnelian, Opal, Pearl, Gold-filled, Base Metal
2010s Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Citrine, Opal, Quartz, Moonstone, Tiger's Eye, Rainbow Moonstone, 14k Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Other, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s British Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate...
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1880s American Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century British Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Kyanite, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Russian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphi...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Georgian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow 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).