Mexican Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Drop Earrings
Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Mexican Victorian Brooches
Opal, Pearl, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Retro Fashion Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
2010s Loose Gemstones
Fire Opal
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Carnelian, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Engagement Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Artist Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold,...
Antique 19th Century Unknown Loose Gemstones
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Band Rings
Aquamarine, Opal, Peridot, Quartz, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Mexican Dome Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Dangle Earrings
Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Mexican Retro Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Opal, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Chain Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Fire Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Retro Cocktail Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Tsavorite, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Opal, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Earrings
Diamond, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Kunzite, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Quartz, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Turquoise ...
Mid-20th Century Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Turquoise, Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Artist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Silver, Cut Steel
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Op...
2010s American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, Opal, Agate, Multi-gemstone, 22k Gold, Bronze, Yell...
2010s American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Agate, Amber, Carnelian, Coral, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Turquoise, Turquoi...
Vintage 1970s Mexican Modernist Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Opal, Cultured Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, Green Sapphire, ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cufflinks
Labradorite, Opal, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Fashion Rings
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Opal, 24k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
Mexican Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Paraiba, Purple Sap...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Paraiba, Purple Sap...
Vintage 1950s American Drop Earrings
Opal, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Opal, Spinel, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Platinum
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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).