Australian Opal
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Jade, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Aesthetic Movement Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s German Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Agate, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Tennis Bracelets
Opal, Silver, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Artisan Engagement Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Artisan Engagement Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s German Art Deco Engagement Rings
Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, Sapphire, Rainbow Moonstone, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Beaded Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Opal, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s English Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Deco Fashion Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s German Artisan Fashion Rings
Crystal, Opal, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Artisan Fashion Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Aesthetic Movement Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Fashion Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Art Deco Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Artist Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Artisan Fashion Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Opal, Quartz, Topaz, Turquoise, Cit...
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Australian Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an Australian 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.








