Opal Jewelry
Early 2000s Italian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gre...
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Vermeil, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Topa...
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Ruby, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Black Jade, Black Opal, Jade, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Rose Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire,...
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Ruby, Opal, Silver, Gold Plate, 22k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amazonite, Opal, Tanzanite, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold...
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1920s American Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Japanese Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Mixed Metal
Late 19th Century Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, Opal, Emerald, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Tsavorite, Opal, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Crystal, Opal, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1980s British Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Amethyst, Citrine, Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Moonstone, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Baroque Revival Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Turkish Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Peridot, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Modern Opal Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Citrine, Opal, Agate, Chalcedony, Moonstone, Morganite, R...
Mid-20th Century European Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White 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).