Opal Jewelry
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Aesthetic Movement Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Opal, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, Silver, Gold Plate, 24k Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Citrine, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s American Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Fire Opal, Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Ruby, Jasper, Rhodocrosite, Quartz, Yellow Gold, Gold, 1...
1990s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Australian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Palladium
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
1960s French Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Quartz, Black Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Artisan Opal Jewelry
Amazonite, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Opal, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Diamond, Yellow Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Rhodolite, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century British Russian Empire Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Peridot, Blue Topaz, Amethyst, Chalcedony, Citrine, Coral, Opal, Yellow ...
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century British Modernist Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, 22k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling...
2010s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Silver, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1980s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 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).