Opal Jewelry
2010s Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Opal, Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Black Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century English Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Chrome Tourmaline, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, S...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Crystal, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal
Early 20th Century European Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s German Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Swedish Retro Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire,...
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal
20th Century Italian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Australian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Gold Plate, Rose Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Go...
1990s North American Native American Opal Jewelry
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Baroque Revival Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Brazilian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Topaz, Fire Opal, Blue Topaz, Ruby, Opal, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, B...
1990s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Diamond, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal
Early 1900s Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Opal Jewelry
Topaz, Fire Opal, Opal, Silver, Gold Plate, 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).