Opal Beads
Vintage 1960s Moroccan Moorish Wall Lights and Sconces
Amethyst, Opal, Metal
Vintage 1980s Moroccan Moorish Wall Lights and Sconces
Amethyst, Opal, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Opal, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Russian Islamic Paintings
Paper
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
German Beaded Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
2010s Unknown Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Quartz, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s European Late Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold
2010s Dangle Earrings
Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1930s Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Diamond, White Gold
2010s European Modern Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dangle Earrings
Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Dangle Earrings
Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Jade, Moonstone, Opal, Quartz, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Opal, Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Charm Bracelets
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, Opal, Multi-gemstone, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Pyrite, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Onyx, Opal
2010s Contemporary More Art
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Onyx, Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Onyx, Opal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold
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Opal Beads For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Opal Beads?
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).
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