Carved Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cufflinks
Opal, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Artisan Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Tourmaline, Gold, Silver
2010s Japanese Artist Hoop Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modernist Stud Earrings
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Opal, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, White D...
Late 20th Century American Artisan Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Quartz, Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Go...
Early 2000s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Opal, Rubelite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cufflinks
Hematite, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow...
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Wall-mounted Sculptures
Canvas, Paint, Gesso, Plaster, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Jade, Opal, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Austrian Jugendstil Figurative Sculptures
Opal, Alabaster, Gold Leaf
2010s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Agate, Opal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Figurative Sculptures
Precious Stone
Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Jade, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1980s British More Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian More Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cufflinks
Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Drop Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Black Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century English Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Agate, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
2010s Peruvian Animal Sculptures
Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Opal
2010s American Brooches
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Modernist Brooches
Agate, Opal, Fire Agate, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Opal, Black Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
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Carved Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Carved 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).