Opal Jewelry
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Morganite, Opal, Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1910s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1890s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Quartz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sa...
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s British Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Opal, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold, ...
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Black Pearl, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
17th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Amethyst, Citrine, Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Ruby, Opal, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Opal, Silv...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Green Sapphire, Ruby, Opal, Amethyst, Silver, Gold...
1970s Modern Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Sapphire, Black Opal, Ruby, Opal, Diamond, Amber, Enamel, Sterling Silve...
2010s Turkish Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Garnet, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1950s Unknown Victorian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
2010s American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, Sapphire, Rainbow Moonstone, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow 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).