Silver Boulder Opal
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s Australian Necklace Enhancers
Opal, Silver
2010s Russian Art Nouveau Dangle Earrings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century Oceanic Collectible Jewelry
Opal
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Dangle Earrings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Solitaire Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s German Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s French Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s German Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Chrysocolla, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Pendant Necklaces
Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Signet Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artist Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s French Artisan Fashion Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Modern Fashion Rings
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s German Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artist Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, 18k Gold
2010s German Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Fashion Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Cuff Bracelets
Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s German Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, 18k Gold
2010s German Artisan Chain Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Multi-gemstone, Turquoise Matrix, Turquoise, Opal, Silver, Gold, Yellow ...
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Central American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s French Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate
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Silver Boulder Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Silver Boulder Opal?
The Legacy of Opal in Jewelry Design
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).
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021An Australian boulder opal is an opal mined from a large ironstone boulder under the ground. This type of opal is the second most valuable opal behind the black opal. Spot an Australian boulder opal by checking for a solid layer of brown ironstone left on the back of the stone. Shop Australian boulder opals on 1stDibs.