Black Opal Necklace
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Ruby
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Modern Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k G...
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Platinum
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
20th Century Unknown Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Black Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Black Opal, 18k...
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Black Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Garnet, Opal, Pearl, Black Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapph...
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Op...
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
Opal, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Renaissance Revival Pendant Neckl...
Black Opal, Emerald, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tsavorite, Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Drop Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Hematite, Malachite, Opal, Ruby, Black Opal, Gold, 14k G...
Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Platinum, Enamel
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1950s American Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Hematite, Opal, Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Sterling ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Black Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Coral, Opal, Onyx, Mixed Metal
Vintage 1950s Mexican Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Coral, Opal, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Anglo-Indian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Pearl,...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Amber, Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold P...
2010s British Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, B...
2010s Australian Art Nouveau Vanity Items
Opal, Black Opal
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Emerald, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
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Black Opal Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Black Opal Necklace?
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).
Finding the Right Necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023What a black heart necklace symbolizes is a matter of personal interpretation. Traditionally, wearing a black heart pendant is a sign that a person is grieving the loss of a loved one. However, many people today choose to wear the necklaces simply because they like how they look. Find a wide range of necklaces on 1stDibs.
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