Mexican Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Carnelian, Fire Agate, Sterling Silver
2010s British Modern Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Carnelian, Moonstone, Opal, Rainbow Moonstone
English Dome Rings
Opal, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Mexican Retro Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Artisan Drop Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artisan Solitaire Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Quartz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Pendant Necklaces
Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Jasper, Opal, Fire Opal, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artisan Dangle Earrings
Opal, Pearl, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Classical Greek Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artisan Dangle Earrings
Opal, Pink Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Mexican Loose Gemstones
Opal, Fire Opal
2010s Mexican Loose Gemstones
Opal, Fire Opal
American Beaded Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Mexican Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Fashion Rings
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Drop Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Artisan Band Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, 22k Gold
2010s Thai Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gol...
2010s American Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Fire Opa...
2010s Turkish Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 24k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Citrine, Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Stud Earrings
Garnet, Moonstone, Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Dangle Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Canadian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Canadian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s Mexican Brooches
Amethyst, Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Citrine, Opal, Topaz, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modernist Dangle Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Opal, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, ...
2010s Thai Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k ...
2010s American Drop Earrings
Chrysoberyl, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Tsavori...
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Amber, Citrine, Jade, Multi-gemstone, South Sea Pearl, Quartz, Ot...
Antique 17th Century Australian Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Amber, Carnelian, Jade, Cultured Pearl, Quartz, Tiger s Eye, Othe...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold
2010s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Chrysocolla, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Drop Earrings
Opal, Fire Opal, Apatite, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Opal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Anglo-Indian Wedding Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s American Artist Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan More Necklaces
Agate, Opal, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
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Mexican Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Mexican 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).