Opal Jewelry
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Black Opal, Opal, Platinum
1920s Danish Aesthetic Movement Vintage Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Jade, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Nouveau Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s English Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1920s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Italian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Platinum
1920s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1920s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Carnelian, Citrine, Jade, Opal, Tiger's Eye, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 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).