Natural Black Opal
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, Paraiba, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Si...
Vintage 1960s Retro Necklace Enhancers
Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Hong Kong Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Early 2000s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Paraiba, 18k Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Link Necklaces
Jade, Opal, Natural Pearl, Peridot, Zircon, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
1990s Modern Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Ruby, Black Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, Black Opal, White Diamond, Gol...
Mid-20th Century American Stud Earrings
Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Opal, Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Jade, Opal, Black Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indonesian Artisan More Necklaces
Opal, 22k Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Mandarin Garnet, Black Opal, Gold,...
Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Fashion Rings
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Antique Early 1900s Gilded Age Retro Bracelets
Opal, Black Opal, Silver
20th Century Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s English Modern Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Signet Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Silver
Antique 1890s American Art Nouveau Dome Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Japanese Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
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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.