Opal Jewelry
1990s Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1860s English Holbeinesque Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Fire Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Opal Jewelry
Opal
1880s Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Victorian Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Emerald, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Gilded Age Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Platinum
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Thai Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold
20th Century Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Modern Opal Jewelry
Black Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Opal, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Black Opal, Opal, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Mixed Metal
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Opal, Quartz, Topaz, Turquoise, Cit...
1970s Swiss Vintage Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Opal Jewelry
Opal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Retro Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Opal, Labradorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Artisan Opal Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s European Victorian Antique Opal Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Opal Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Enamel
2010s Dutch Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Opal Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Antique and Vintage Opal Jewelry
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).





