Lightning Ridge Black Opal Jewelry
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Jade, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Paraiba, 18k Gold, Sterling...
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Black Opal
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Artist Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Crystal, Black Opal, Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Artisan Signet Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Dutch Artisan Drop Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Bangles
Black Jade, Black Opal, Jade, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Black Opal, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Black Opal, 18k...
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Tsavorite, Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Bangles
Black Jade, Black Opal, Jade, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Black Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Black Jade, Black Opal, Jade, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s English Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian Art Nouveau Vanity Items
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
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Lightning Ridge Black Opal Jewelry For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Lightning Ridge Black Opal Jewelry?
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).