Opal Jewelry
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1990s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1890s British Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, Silver
1990s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Opal Jewelry
Opal, White Gold
Early 2000s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tanzanite, Rhodolite, Apatite,...
21st Century and Contemporary English Aesthetic Movement Opal Jewelry
Opal, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Tourmaline, Fire Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
2010s German Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, 18k Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Edwardian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
1980s Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Platinum
2010s German Artist Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, White Gold, Palladium
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
1920s Art Deco Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tanzanite, Rhodolite, Apatite,...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tanzanite, Rhodolite, Apatite,...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tanzanite, Rhodolite, Apatite,...
Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tanzanite, Tsavorite, White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tanzanite, Rhodolite, Apatite,...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Emerald, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Silver
2010s Indian Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, Diamond, Silver
2010s Indian Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Amethyst, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold
2010s American Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
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).