Natural Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1930s European Retro Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century Australian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Australian Modern Band Rings
Opal, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tsavorite, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s European Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1950s American Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Spinel, Sterling Silver
20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, B...
Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century Colombian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 18th Century Unknown Georgian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Colombian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Swiss Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal
Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Irish Contemporary Cluster Rings
Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
Early 2000s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian More Jewelry
Black Opal
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Natural Black Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Natural 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).
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To see if your black opal is real, check the potch on the back. Double-sided opals are rare, so if there is a lack of potch and color all the way through, this could indicate a fake. Shop a collection of expertly vetted opals from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Black fire opal can vary in worth, from $10 per carat to $10,000 per carat. Black opals are generally considered extremely valuable because of their vibrant spectrum of colors and are one of the most enchanting stones in the world. On 1stDibs, shop a range of vintage black fire opal jewelry.