Australian Black Opals
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Fire Opal, Black Opal, Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Purple Sapphire, Pi...
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Tsavorite, Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Drop Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Palladium, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Solitaire Rings
Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s German Artisan Stud Earrings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, Black Opal, 18k Gol...
2010s Dutch Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
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Australian Black Opals For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Australian Black Opals?
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).
- What is an Australian opal?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Today, Australia and Ethiopia are the two largest producers of opals. Historically, most of the world’s opals were mined in South Australia. The stone is so closely associated with Australia that in 1993 it became the national gemstone. 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. Shop a collection of vintage and modern Australian opal jewelry from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To see if your black opal is real, check the potch on the back. Double-sided opals are rare, so if there is a lack of potch and color all the way through, this could indicate a fake. Shop a collection of expertly vetted opals from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Black fire opal can vary in worth, from $10 per carat to $10,000 per carat. Black opals are generally considered extremely valuable because of their vibrant spectrum of colors and are one of the most enchanting stones in the world. On 1stDibs, shop a range of vintage black fire opal jewelry.








