Lightning Ridge Black Opal
2010s American Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Emerald, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s American Modern More Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
20th Century French Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Tsavorite, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Australian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Platinum, Enamel, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Loose Gemstones
Black Opal, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Solitaire Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Wrist Watches
2010s American Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, Paraiba, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Blue Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tu...
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Paraiba, 18k Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Australian Modern Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Platinum
2010s Belgian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Para...
20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Spinel, Tour...
2010s Belgian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Mixed Metal, W...
2010s Belgian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tourmaline, Diamond, White Diamond, Black Opal, Pa...
2010s Japanese Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Blue Diamond, 18k Gold, Ster...
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Modern Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Artist Fashion Rings
Chrysophrase, Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gol...
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Mandarin Garnet, Black Opal, Gold,...
Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bangles
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Cocktail Rings
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Belgian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Rhodium, Si...
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Paraiba, 18k Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Pa...
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Lightning Ridge Black Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Lightning Ridge Black 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).