This post includes one or more affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking through, we may receive a small commission from the designer, retailer or shop (thanks!) More info here.
Today we’re going to take a moment to share some gorgeous vintage art deco jewelry finds with you all, some perfect for purchase, some sadly only for pinning (and pining!). Opal is an October birthstone (the other is tourmaline), also beautiful. But today? Opal!
The name of this, the traditional October birthstone, is believed to have originated in India (the source of the first opals brought to the Western world), where in Sanskrit it was called upala, a “precious stone.” .” In ancient Rome, this became opalus. Most opals are valued for their shifting colors in rainbow hues – a phenomenon known as “play-of-color.”
The October birthstone’s dramatic play-of-color has inspired writers to compare it to fireworks, galaxies and volcanoes. Bedouins once believed opal held lightning and fell from the sky during thunderstorms. Ancient Greeks thought opals bestowed the gift of prophesy and protection from disease. Europeans long maintained opal to be a symbol of purity, hope and truth.
Today’s lovelies? A variety of vintage art deco opal jewelry, as well as some Art Nouveau opal gems as well. First up, this beautiful antique art deco opal ring from Red Ginger Jewelry, circa 1930s and absolutely stunning:
Next just for fun we’ve got this breathtaking art deco opal and diamond pendant, sold at auction a few years back, and it’s just essentially… well, perfect.
Art Deco opal and diamond pendant, auctioned at Sothebys.
Vintage style rose gold art deco opal earrings, from Angara.
Andthis stunning and unusual peacock-inspired art nouveau black opal pin, from Lang Antiques.
Peacock-inspired art nouveau black opal pin, from Lang Antiques.
Another unusual and beautifully-hued piece is this elegant, art deco fire opal necklace. An authentic, vintage 1920s piece featuring two brilliant crimson fire opals surrounded by glittering diamonds. Absolutely gorgeous!
Stunning vintage art deco fire opal necklace, via Etsy.
Then these classic art deco opal earrings, beautiful vintage reproduction pieces from Mel’s Antique Jewelry with a glimmering, glittering elegance.
Lots of art deco opal jewelry here, but next we’ve got this truly one-of-a-kind Arts and Crafts / Art Nouveau opal ring by Georges Fouquet. Sold at auction for 15k+, it still seems like a steal:
Finally today we’ve got this brilliant, beautiful art deco opal engagement ring, from Michellia:
Be sure to browse more 1920s jewelry in our Art Deco Shop - we've got vintage inspired earrings, necklaces, cocktail rings and more, plus authentic antique Art Deco, Edwardian and Art Nouveau pieces.
Today we’re introducing a new post-type to the site, the good old-fashioned Sponsor Roundup! Yeehaw! So about once a month we’ll be showing you new sponsors of the site, and featuring some of their products so you can see exactly why they were selected as vendor sponsors (hint: because they are awesome). First up, you’ll …
Something old, something new, something borrowed, and this gorgeous art deco feather fascinator can be your something… Something Blue No 2 Fascinator from Lo Boheme. A little deco, a little nouveau, all gorgeous.
It’s time once again for our monthly excuse to explore some gorgeous art deco gems: today? We’ve got vintage tourmaline jewelry to admire! Opal is also an October birthstone, and we’ll feature some beauties in the future, but lucky October-ites also get to claim the many-hued tourmaline and that’s our focus today. Let’s start off …
Super excited today to announce a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate from one of our favorite sponsors, Novica! If you’re not familiar with Novica, they’re a very cool company with lovely products, yes, but also a lovely mission statement: to “spread happiness,” by partnering with local artisans around the world to help them create …
Art Deco Opal Jewelry | October Birthstone
This post includes one or more affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking through, we may receive a small commission from the designer, retailer or shop (thanks!) More info here.
Today we’re going to take a moment to share some gorgeous vintage art deco jewelry finds with you all, some perfect for purchase, some sadly only for pinning (and pining!). Opal is an October birthstone (the other is tourmaline), also beautiful. But today? Opal!
Elegant 1920s Art Deco opal engagment ring, from Aardvark Jewelry
From GIA:
The name of this, the traditional October birthstone, is believed to have originated in India (the source of the first opals brought to the Western world), where in Sanskrit it was called upala, a “precious stone.” .” In ancient Rome, this became opalus. Most opals are valued for their shifting colors in rainbow hues – a phenomenon known as “play-of-color.”
The October birthstone’s dramatic play-of-color has inspired writers to compare it to fireworks, galaxies and volcanoes. Bedouins once believed opal held lightning and fell from the sky during thunderstorms. Ancient Greeks thought opals bestowed the gift of prophesy and protection from disease. Europeans long maintained opal to be a symbol of purity, hope and truth.
Today’s lovelies? A variety of vintage art deco opal jewelry, as well as some Art Nouveau opal gems as well. First up, this beautiful antique art deco opal ring from Red Ginger Jewelry, circa 1930s and absolutely stunning:
Antique Art Deco opal ring from Red Ginger Jewelry.
Next just for fun we’ve got this breathtaking art deco opal and diamond pendant, sold at auction a few years back, and it’s just essentially… well, perfect.
Art Deco opal and diamond pendant, auctioned at Sothebys.
Next up are these lovely vintage style rose gold opal earrings from Angara:
Vintage style rose gold art deco opal earrings, from Angara.
Andthis stunning and unusual peacock-inspired art nouveau black opal pin, from Lang Antiques.
Peacock-inspired art nouveau black opal pin, from Lang Antiques.
Another unusual and beautifully-hued piece is this elegant, art deco fire opal necklace. An authentic, vintage 1920s piece featuring two brilliant crimson fire opals surrounded by glittering diamonds. Absolutely gorgeous!
Stunning vintage art deco fire opal necklace, via Etsy.
Then these classic art deco opal earrings, beautiful vintage reproduction pieces from Mel’s Antique Jewelry
with a glimmering, glittering elegance.
Art Deco opal earrings from Mel’s Antique Jewelry.
Or this absolutely fabulous gold art deco opal ring. Love the shape of the setting and the vintage detailing in this piece. Beautiful.
Beautiful gold art deco opal ring, via Etsy.
Lots of art deco opal jewelry here, but next we’ve got this truly one-of-a-kind Arts and Crafts / Art Nouveau opal ring by Georges Fouquet. Sold at auction for 15k+, it still seems like a steal:
Finally today we’ve got this brilliant, beautiful art deco opal engagement ring, from Michellia:
Art deco opal engagement ring, from Michellia.
Be sure to browse more 1920s jewelry in our Art Deco Shop - we've got vintage inspired earrings, necklaces, cocktail rings and more, plus authentic antique Art Deco, Edwardian and Art Nouveau pieces.
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