10 Opal Earrings with Mesmerizing Style & Design
Struggling to find that perfect pair of earrings to bring your look together?
In this article, we followup on the success of our opal ring article to cover the earring format of this vibrant gemstone choice. We’ve carefully curated a list of our favorite opal earrings that we hope can add an extra touch of unique elegance to your ensemble.
Firey Opal Magic
I’ll never forget the first time I tried on a piece of jewelry with an opal stone. I was a teenager in a small town jewelry shop alongside my mother, admiring all of the shiny, sparkly things. When I picked up a piece that featured opal, I discovered a mesmerizing rainbow of color flashing before my eyes.
“That’s the fire,” said the jeweler. “It reflects a spectrum of colors in the light when you rotate it.”
I had no idea at the time what fire was, but I knew I was captivated. It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with the fiery gemstone known as opal.
Queen of Gemstones
Opals have been commonly considered the queen of gemstones with their magnificent opalescence (rainbow of colors). They are formed over long periods of time from rainwater when it mixes into a solution with silicon dioxide from sandstone found in the earth.
While over 90% of opals are mined in Australia, they are also found in Mexico, Ethiopia, Brazil, Indonesia, and the USA.
Opals are the birthstone for October, but don’t sweat it if you’re not an October baby. They are also the stone traditionally used to celebrate the 14th anniversary. Your earrings will happily remind you of your love and commitment for many years to come.
Top Opal Earring Picks
Without further ado, here is our carefully curated list of the best opal earrings for your wedding day or other special occasion.
1) Opal and Micropavé Diamond Earrings
By Blue Nile
Blue Nile does it again with this fine set of opal diamond stud earrings. A diamond micropavé and 18K white gold setting makes these earrings truly pop. Bright white opal stones are sure to bring together your whole look from head to toe.
2) Raw Opal Hoop Earrings
By Ringcrush
These raw opal hoop earrings have that magic touch. With hues that bring to mind mermaids and unicorns, this pair will channel your inner child. An added bonus you can customize the metal setting with choice of gold, rose gold, or silver.
3) Dainty Opal Earrings
For those brides looking for a classic, minimalist look, these dainty opal earrings are a splendid choice. You will get the best of both worlds – a simple opal drop, with a pavé cubic zirconia setting combined with a huggie-style sparkling hoop. These opals have a light white tone that will look flawless with your dress.
4) Opal and Diamond Bloom Earrings
This is hands down our favorite stud earring look on the list. A combination of tasteful white opal, diamond, and 14k yellow gold offers a set you will wear well beyond your wedding day. We especially love the leaf detail that offers an ethereal botanical feeling.
5) Raw Opal Drop Earrings
By Ringcrush
Graceful meets boho with these hero triple raw opal drop earrings. This pair offers elegance combined with a literal “raw edge” that gives it an extra special twist. An exquisite choice if you plan to wear a more minimalist look (think small, single stone pendant on a gold chain) around your neck.
6) Silver Opal Drop Earrings
By PetitBlue
These are the quintessential drop earring. A vintage-inspired twisted silver setting surrounds beautiful opal cabochons for a look that will compliment just about any hairstyle and dress.
7) Raw Opal Studs
Aquamarine and opal come together for something truly special with these raw opal stud earrings. We love that they feel subtle yet truly opulent. Not to mention you’re in good company, these earrings have even made a television appearance!
8) Diamond and Opal Hoop Earrings
Hoops are back in full force, and these beauties are another one of our top opal earring picks. Breathtaking Marquise Australian Opals alternate with sparkling diamonds for an effect that will take your breath away. This pair offers the best of both worlds – the look of a hoop with the comfort and security of a stud.
9) Black Opal Diamond Stud Earrings
This magical little pair is our top choice for black opal earrings, with a delicate crescent of diamonds to complement the feature stones. We love how there is a hint of lunar inspiration in this graceful set.
10) Swarovski Crystal & Opal
By Etsy: CoutureBridalStudios
A set reminiscent of old Hollywood, with a delicate teardrop shape and a pave setting. Ornate looking, they would pair particularly well with a strapless dress.
Opal Solids, Doublets, and Triplets
If quality is of high importance to you, ask a few questions ahead of purchasing any opal earrings. Opals can come in three forms: solid, doublets and triplets.
A doublet or triplet simply means that the opal has been combined with synthetic material. A doublet is a piece of opal (normally translucent) that has been cut specifically to show off the most colorful features and then glued to darker material. While this does not make it a “pure” opal, it is done to enhance color and add strength or thickness.
Triplets are the same as doublets with the exception of a clear top coating of quartz or glass. This essentially makes them of lower value.
Finally, an opal solid is a gemstone that completely consists of the opal stone. Typically the more opalescence, the more expensive the piece. Australian black opals tend to be sold as solid opal.
Price and Style
Opal earrings can range in price anywhere from $20 into the thousands of dollars. Your final decision will depend on your quality preference, metal setting choice, stones, size, and budget.
Opals are not only a beautiful choice to wear on your wedding day, but a timeless pair of earrings that you’ll wear again and again. They are one of the most versatile gemstones that can be worn with any look — from casual to black tie. Said to inspire love, hope, luck and happiness, there couldn’t be a more fitting choice of stone to adorn your ears.
And there you have it, folks! We absolutely adore opals as a bridal gemstone choice. Studs, hoops or drop styles, you simply can’t go wrong with the queen of gems. Which set of opal earrings captures your heart? Let us know in the comment section below!
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