Opal Jewelry
1910s Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s European Artisan Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Swiss Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
1940s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Mandarin Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Paraiba, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold, Silver
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Topaz, Pink Sapphire, Ruby, Peridot, Opal, Amethyst, Silver, G...
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Topaz, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Ethiopian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
19th Century French Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k 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).