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1.14 Carat Ethiopian Opal and Diamond 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful opal ring is crafted in 14-karat Rose gold and features a 1.14 carat Ethiopian Opal
Category

20th Century Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Ring with White Opal in 9 Karat Yellow Gold Silver
Located in Lucerne, CH
8.00-carat white opal. Known for its captivating play of colours, the white opal symbolizes hope and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Eostre Solid Opal, Abalone Shell, Crystal and Diamond in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Melbourne, AU
A 2.27 ct Solid Opal, Abalone Shell, Crystal and Diamond in 18k Yellow Gold. The solid opal is
Category

2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ethiopian Opal Statement Ring With Diamond Halo 8.27 Carats Total 14K Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Ethiopian Opal = 8.00 Carat Cut: Cabochon 35 Rond Cut Diamonds = 0.27 Carats Metal: 14K Yellow and White
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Pink Opal Dangle Earrings Amazonite Tanzanite 18K Rose Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All gemstones are natural 2 Pink Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Amazonite, Opal, Tanzanite, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold...

Ethiopian Opal Ring With Diamonds 6.38 Carats 14K White Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural Ethiopian Opal
Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Natural Opal Bypass Ring With Diamonds 1.91 Carats 24K Yellow Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Opals = 1.68 Carats 46 Diamonds = 0.23 Carats Metal: 24K Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 7
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver

Natural Ethiopian Opal Ring Tanzanite and Diamond Setting 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural 5 Ethiopian Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.09 Carat Opal and Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
with a feature 2.09Ct cabochon cut opal panel, four claw set in relief to the center. The opal is
Category

1990s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Platinum

Rye Australian Opal Unique Engagement Ring Gold Unisex Artisan Fine Jewelry Art
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
Nature inspred ring from signature Herbarium collection with an amazing large Boulder Opal in 14K
Category

2010s French Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Crystal, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

10.77 Carat Opal and Diamond Fashion Ring
Located in Greenville, DE
This Opal and diamond ring is crafted in 14k white gold and features (1) cabochon opal weighing
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold

Natural Ethiopian Opal Ring Tanzanite and Diamond Setting 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural 5 Ethiopian Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

8.61 Carat White Opal and 0.04 Carat Diamond 15K Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
8.61ct cabochon cut white opal. The ribbon designs to the side of the setting continue to the pierced
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold

Ethiopian Opal Cocktail Ring With Diamond Halo 3.25 Carats 14K Rose Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural Ethiopian Opal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Pink Opal Dangle Earrings Amazonite Tanzanite 18K Rose Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All gemstones are natural 2 Pink Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Amazonite, Opal, Tanzanite, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold...

Natural Opal Bypass Ring With Diamonds 1.91 Carats 24K Yellow Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Opals = 1.68 Carats 46 Diamonds = 0.23 Carats Metal: 24K Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 7
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver, Gold Plate

Steven Battelle 2.9 Carats Fire Opal Emerald Rainbow Moonstone 18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
cabochons of a deeper shape of fire opal and shimmering blue rainbow moonstones are arranged together with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Fire Opal, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold

Ethiopian Opal Statement Ring With Diamond Halo 8.27 Carats Total 14K Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Ethiopian Opal = 8.00 Carat Cut: Cabochon 35 Rond Cut Diamonds = 0.27 Carats Metal: 14K Yellow and White
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

8ct Natural Opal Ring Estate 14k White Gold Large Oval 6.5 Cocktail Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish natural 8ct opal cocktail ring crafted in 14 karat white gold. Cabochon cut natural opal
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold

Bochic “Capri” Ruby, Fire Opal Blue Topaz Flower Ring Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Ruby, Fire Opal & Blue Topaz Flower Ring Set 18K Gold & Silver Natural Cut Ruby
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

18K Gold Patinated Silver Ring with Natural Black Opal and Anthracite Diamonds
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
the mysterious depth of the central gem: a natural black opal from Australia, 0.88 carats, full of
Category

2010s French Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gol...

French 20th Century Australian Opal Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
decorated on its top with an important Australian cabochon opal held with claws and surmounted on both sides
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

3.6 Carat Opal 6 Diamond Ring 14 Karat Gold Cocktail Statement Art Deco Ring
Located in New York, NY
. The fabulous Opal ring is 14 Karat Yellow Gold. The extraordinary oval cabochon opal has brilliant
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Golden Hill Turquoise Australian Boulder Opal 18 Karat Gold Dangle Earrings
By Vicki Orr Designs
Located in Naples, FL
Golden Hill Turquoise from Kazakhstan and Australian Boulder Opal 18k yellow gold dangle earrings
Category

2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Opal, Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Gold, 18k Gold, Yello...

Opal, Ruby with Brown Diamond Ring Set in 18 Karat Rose Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Opal 2.56 carats, Ruby 1.22 carats with Brown Diamond 1.32 carats Ring set in 18 Karat Rose Gold
Category

2010s Thai More Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Ethiopian Opal Cocktail Ring With Diamond Halo 3.25 Carats 14K Rose Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural Ethiopian Opal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Boulder Opal Pendant w Natural Diamond Accents in Solid 14K Gold Fancy 8x4.7mm
Located in Columbus, OH
This exquisite unique pendant features a 0.71 carat boulder opal gemstone with natural earth mined
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Bright, Opal High-Grade Inlay, Tear-Drop, Dangle Earrings, 14kt Gold by Kabana
By Kabana
Located in Bozeman, MT
High Grade Opal Inlay, Tear-Drop, Dangle Earrings, 14kt Gold, Small, 1" All designs may be custom
Category

2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pure 24 Karat Yellow Gold One of a Kind 5.29 Carat Australian Opal Ring
By Campanelli Pear
Located in Troy, MI
with interesting hammered finish showcases a beautiful 5.29 carat Australian opal specimen in oval
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Opal, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Ethiopian Opal Ring Tanzanite and Diamond Setting 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural 5 Ethiopian Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pink Opal Dangle Earrings Amazonite Tanzanite 18K Rose Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All gemstones are natural 2 Pink Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Amazonite, Opal, Tanzanite, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold...

Australian Opal Lotus Bud Ring Set with Padparadscha Sapphires, Ruby, 14k Gold
By Angel Alchemy Jewelry
Located in Kula, HI
Vivid Auatralian Opal Two Piece Lotus Bud Ring Set with Padparadscha Sapphires, Pink Ruby, Spinels
Category

2010s American Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapphire , 14k Gold

Natural Opal Bypass Ring With Diamonds 1.91 Carats 24K Yellow Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Opals = 1.68 Carats 46 Diamonds = 0.23 Carats Metal: 24K Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 7
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver

3-Tier Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise and Boulder Opal Gold Dangle Earrings
By Vicki Orr
Located in Naples, FL
Boulder Opal, and Carico Lake Turquoise (from the closed mine in Nevada, USA) gemstones. Dangle earrings
Category

2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Turquoise, Multi-gemstone, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

51.39 Carat Free Form Ethiopian Opal Loose Gemstone - Merkaba Beverly Hills
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Natural 51.39 carat Ethiopian opal, offered loose and unmounted, featuring a vibrant play of color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Ethiopian Opal Cocktail Ring With Diamond Halo 3.25 Carats 14K Rose Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural Ethiopian Opal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

GRS Certified 8.87 Ct Australian Opal and 1.18 Ct Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Warszawa, PL
Australian opal ring, 8.87 carats, diamond ring, 1.18 carats, 18K white gold, GRS certified. This
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, White Gold

Ethiopian Opal Statement Ring With Diamond Halo 8.27 Carats Total 14K Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Ethiopian Opal = 8.00 Carat Cut: Cabochon 35 Rond Cut Diamonds = 0.27 Carats Metal: 14K Yellow and White
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Opal, Diamond, Amethyst and Gold Bee Pendant
Located in London, GB
A vintage gem set bee pendant, with an oval cabochon cut opal, set in the abdomen and a round
Category

Vintage 1960s British Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Petite Marigold Necklace, Opal set in 14 Karat Yellow Gold Frame, Blue Sapphire
By Keiko Mita
Located in Washington, DC
Keiko Mita's unique Petite Marigold Necklace is handmade from a multi-color Australian Opal (0.69
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ethiopian Opal Cocktail Ring With Diamond Halo 3.25 Carats 14K Rose Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural Ethiopian Opal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold

Ethiopian Opal Cocktail Ring With Diamond Halo 3.25 Carats 14K Rose Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural Ethiopian Opal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Australian Opal and garnet halo pendant necklace yellow gold
Located in London, GB
for adding a touch of elegance to any ensemble. Australian Opal oval shaped cabochon cut 0.92ct
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, Opal, Yellow Gold

Pink Opal Dangle Earrings Amazonite Tanzanite 18K Rose Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All gemstones are natural 2 Pink Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Amazonite, Opal, Tanzanite, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold...

Natural Opal Bypass Ring With Diamonds 1.91 Carats 24K Yellow Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Opals = 1.68 Carats 46 Diamonds = 0.23 Carats Metal: 24K Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 7
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver

Bochic “Orient” Opal Blue Sapphire Turtle Brooch Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
” collection Natural Opals - 5.5 carats Natural shapes Natural Blue Sapphires - 15 carats Cabochons shapes
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Brooches

Materials

Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Ethiopian Opal Statement Ring With Diamond Halo 8.27 Carats Total 14K Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Ethiopian Opal = 8.00 Carat Cut: Cabochon 35 Rond Cut Diamonds = 0.27 Carats Metal: 14K Yellow and White
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Belais Art Deco Opal Ring 14k White Gold Filigree Fine Jewelry
By Belais
Located in Torrance, CA
. Cabochon cut Ethiopian opal measures 15mm x 8.5mm (estimated at 4.50 carats). The opal is in very good
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Art Nouveau Style Opal Sapphire Brooch/Pendant in 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
center, a pear-shaped cabochon cut white opal glows with a mesmerizing play of color, displaying
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ethiopian Opal Statement Ring With Diamond Halo 8.27 Carats Total 14K Gold
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Ethiopian Opal = 8.00 Carat Cut: Cabochon 35 Rond Cut Diamonds = 0.27 Carats Metal: 14K Yellow and White
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Fire Opal with Orange Sapphire and Diamond Earrings Set in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
Fire Opal 2.21 carats with Orange Sapphire 0.58 carat and Diamond 1.12 carats Earrings set in 18
Category

2010s Thai Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold

Eostre Fire Opal, South Sea Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Melbourne, AU
It is a very bold design with pearls and Fire Opal sitting at two ends of a scale. The surface of
Category

2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Fire Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold

Boulder Opal "Sea Night Sky" Gold Brooch Circa 2000s
Located in ADELAIDE, SA
flat cabochon with two distinct bands of colour representing the nights sky and the sea. The opal is
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

Opal, Gold

Vintage 1960s Opal Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
and 10 round cabochon Opals of bluish-green hue. DIAMOND: One round brilliant cut diamond weighing
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

A Pair of Opal and Diamond Drop Stud Earrings in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Michael Rose
Located in London, GB
earrings comprise of a cascade of round cut cabochon opals claw set in plain polished 18 karat yellow gold
Category

2010s British Modern Stud Earrings

Materials

Opal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Kirkpatrick Co 18K Gold Platinum Opal Diamond Ruby Pin Pendant
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian Kirkpatrick Co 18K Gold Platinum Opal Diamond Ruby Pin Pendant. This
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Pink Opal Dangle Earrings Amazonite Tanzanite 18K Rose Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All gemstones are natural 2 Pink Opals
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Amazonite, Opal, Tanzanite, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold...

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Opal Cabochon For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact opal cabochon you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of gold, 14k gold and yellow gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 3530 antique edition and 3117 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for an opal cabochon from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Creating an opal cabochon has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Renata Bernard, Bochic and Daizy Jewellery are consistently popular. Today, if you’re looking for a cabochon version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and round cut alternatives. Most of our opal cabochon for sale are for women, but there are 2167 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Opal Cabochon?

On average, an opal cabochon at 1stDibs sells for $2,723, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $645,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

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).

Questions About Opal Cabochon
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    A cabochon opal is an opal that’s cut in a dome shape. There are two types of opal: common and precious. The former is, as its name implies, not very rare. Precious opal, on the other hand, is more rare than diamonds and considered very high quality.