Opal Jewelry
1930s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Platinum, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Tsavorite, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Yellow Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s German Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Agate, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Opal Jewelry
Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Opal, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Ye...
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal
20th Century European Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal
20th Century American Modern Opal Jewelry
Jade, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary British Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Artisan Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Swiss Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Rhodolite, Apatite, Tanzanite, Peridot, Opal, Garnet, Citrine, Amethyst,...
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
Late 20th Century Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Black Opal, Opal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold P...
1960s Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Danish Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal
1870s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
1880s European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
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).