Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Other, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Rhodolite, Blue Topaz, Peridot, Citrine, Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow...
1980s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Ruby, Opal, Silver, Gold Plate, 22k Gold
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Black Pearl, O...
2010s British Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Brown Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1990s North American Native American Opal Jewelry
Coral, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tsavorite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Moonstone, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s British Georgian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Opal Jewelry
Chalcedony, Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Aquamarine, Opal, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Opal Jewelry
Opal, 22k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Opal Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
1920s Italian Artist Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Rainbow Moonstone, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Early 20th Century European Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, 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).