Lightning Ridge Black Opal Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Paraiba, 18k Gold, ...
2010s Belgian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Rhodium, Si...
2010s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Pink Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling...
2010s American Artist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yell...
2010s Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Early 2000s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, Platinum
2010s Japanese Art Nouveau Wedding Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, Padparadscha Sapphir...
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Antique 1890s Victorian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Aquamarine, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Signet Rings
Diamond, Opal, Spinel, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Belgian Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Pa...
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling...
Vintage 1980s Australian Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Australian Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Dome Rings
Opal, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings
Opal, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century British Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Diamond, 15k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, White Gold, Rhodium
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Opal, Ruby, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Emerald, Garnet, Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Cufflinks
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Black Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Blue Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1
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).