Blue Fire Opal
2010s British More Jewelry
White Diamond, Rose Gold
American More Necklaces
2010s British Charm Bracelets
Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Sapphire, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire,...
2010s American Artist Drop Earrings
Opal, Tsavorite, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Stud Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Ye...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan More Rings
Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Stud Earrings
Opal, 22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Fire Opal, Gold, Yellow...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan More Earrings
Opal, Tsavorite, Zircon, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sap...
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Fire Opal...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Band Rings
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Garnet, Iolite, Peridot, Quartz, Blue Sap...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tanzanite, Alexandrite, Blue Dia...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Alexandrite, Amethys...
2010s Chinese Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Brooches
Fire Opal, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green S...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Revival Brooches
Opal, Ruby, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Brooches
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Fi...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Cocktail Rings
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 22k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Revival Cocktail Rings
Opal, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Apatite, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver,...
Antique 17th Century Artist Choker Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Opal, Pearl, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Stud Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Stud Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Fire Opal...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, ...
2010s Hong Kong Solitaire Rings
Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Fire Opal, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Opal, Citrine, Amethyst, Silver,...
2010s American Artist Drop Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stud Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Clip-on Earrings
Amethyst, Opal, Peridot, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz, Bl...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Artist Drop Earrings
Opal, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Chain Necklaces
Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Jade, Moonstone, Peridot, Ruby, Yellow Sapp...
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamar...
Vintage 1950s Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Aquamarine, Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Antique 18th Century Unknown Early Victorian Link Bracelets
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Beryl, Emerald, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Morganite, O...
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Chain Bracelets
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cuff Bracelets
Early 20th Century American Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, ...
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Blue Fire Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Blue Fire Opal?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
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).
- How much is a fire opal worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021One carat of fire opal can be worth as little as $50 or as much as $10,000. The value depends on the quality and origin. For instance, Mexican and Australian fire opals are generally more expensive than fire opals from other countries.
- 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.