Australian Black Opals
2010s Australian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Collectible Jewelry
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Romantic Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal, Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Fire Opal
Late 20th Century Australian Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Bangles
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Fire Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
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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.








