Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Tiger's Eye, Opal, Hematite, Diamond, Agate, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s North American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
1980s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Ruby, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Tsavorite, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tsavorite, Druzy, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Chalcedony, Onyx, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
2010s Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Black...
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
1960s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
17th Century Artist Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, South Sea Pearl, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Dutch Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
1990s North American Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rhodium
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).