Natural Black Opal
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Stud Earrings
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Stud Earrings
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s American Cufflinks
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, Padparadscha Sapphir...
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Signet Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Opal, Black Jade, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Modernist Brooches
Agate, Opal, Fire Agate, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Pendant Necklaces
Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Platinum
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Paraiba, 18k Gold, ...
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Bangles
Jade, Opal, Black Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold...
1990s Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, 22k Gold
20th Century Art Deco Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Mexican Retro Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Opal, Sterling Silver
20th Century Chandelier Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Topaz, Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Black ...
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Dome Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
20th Century British Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Opal, Gold
1990s More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
20th Century British Edwardian Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Black Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1990s More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1960s More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Unknown Cufflinks
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
Late 20th Century Australian Pendant Necklaces
Black Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
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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.