Opal Jewelry
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Carnelian, Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold
2010s French Victorian Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gol...
1990s Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Opal Jewelry
Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Diamond, Opal, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal
1970s German Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Rhodolite, Kunzite, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Ruby, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s British Vintage Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tanzanite, Topaz, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Peridot, Opal, Multi-gemstone...
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1890s British Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Agate, Carnelian, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Silver, Silver Plate
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose 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).