Australian Opal Vintage
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Tourmaline, Gold
20th Century Australian Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Diamond, Platinum
1970s Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Australian Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century British Edwardian Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Diamond, 15k Gold, Platinum
1970s Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century British Edwardian Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 18k Gold
1950s American Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 10k Gold
1970s Modern Australian Opal Vintage
1970s Australian Opal Vintage
White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Early Victorian Australian Opal Vintage
White Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Australian Artisan Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Yellow Gold
1960s Australian Modernist Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 14k Gold
20th Century Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Australian Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
1970s British Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century British Victorian Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Pearl, 15k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Crystal, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Crystal, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Australian Victorian Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Australian Opal Vintage
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century British Edwardian Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Australian Opal Vintage
Opal, Yellow Gold
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Australian Opal Vintage For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an Australian Opal Vintage?
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.