Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Greek Neoclassical Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Ethiopian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Swiss Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Amethyst, Opal, Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Brown Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium, Yellow Gold, 18...
2010s American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Tanzanite, Sapphire, Ruby, Opal, Emerald, White Diamond, Vermeil, Yellow...
2010s Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Malachite, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Tsavorite, White Gold
2010s Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Ruby, Opal, 22k Gold, Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold
1970s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Opal, Onyx, Multi-gemstone, Jade, White Diamond...
Early 2000s Peruvian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1910s German Jugendstil Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver, 10k Gold, Vermeil
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 22k Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
1960s Victorian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Agate, Coral, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tiger's Eye, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow ...
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s American Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Black Opal, Sapphire, Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yello...
20th Century Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, 18k 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).