Australian Crystal Opal
2010s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Chalcedony, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Artisan Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Artisan Necklace Enhancers
Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Loose Gemstones
Opal
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold,...
2010s American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Brooches
Opal
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Drop Earrings
Chrysoberyl, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Artisan Drop Earrings
Garnet, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Antique 1890s American Link Bracelets
Crystal, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Drop Earrings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Silver
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Mixe...
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Opal, 15k Gold, Silver
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Crystal, Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artist Engagement Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, 22k Gold
2010s American Artist Dangle Earrings
Blue Diamond, Brown Diamond, Diamond, Green Sapphire, Opal, Pink Sapphir...
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Australian Modern Solitaire Rings
Opal, Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Garnet, Opal, Spinel, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
20th Century Australian Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Australian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Crystal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Crystal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Modern Drop Earrings
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Stud Earrings
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Stud Earrings
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Artist Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Artist Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, 14k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Drop Earrings
Opal, Gold
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Australian Crystal Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an Australian Crystal Opal?
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.








