Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
18K Gold Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx and Diamond Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold · Black onyx · Diamonds · Paris, 1980s Sleek, graphic, and unmistakably elegant, these earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels exemplify the maison’s refined Parisian mode...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Textured Gold Earrings United States, 1970s
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A pure expression of Tiffany’s sculptural gold work of the 1970s. These circular earrings are crafted in richly textured 18k yellow gold, their softly domed surfaces carved with swee...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Orange and White Diamond Clip Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A flicker of firelight, caught in gold. Crafted in the 1970s, these bold Van Cleef & Arpels earrings radiate with intensity and elegance. A fiery array of round-cut orange diamo...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier Pearl Diamond Heart Drop Earrings in 18K Gold
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Light held in suspension. These Cartier earrings are composed as a delicate vertical sequence, culminating in a luminous white pearl drop. Above, pavé-set diamond spheres introduce b...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Leaf Earrings
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
By Jean Schlumberger · Platinum & 18k yellow gold · France, 1960s These elegant leaf earrings by Tiffany & Co., designed by the legendary Jean Schlumberger, are a refined exp...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
18K Gold Bulgari Diamond Long Chain Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Intervals of Light Gold flows in a continuous rhythm, interrupted only by diamonds suspended like points of brilliance. Crafted by Bulgari in Italy, this striking long necklace trans...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Important Bvlgari Diamond Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Important Bvlgari Diamond Earrings A pair of Bulgari diamond earrings set with 92 marquise cut and 60 round cut diamonds. The round diamond at the ce...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Retro 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Puzzle Ear Clips, 4.50 Carats
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A striking pair of Bvlgari “Puzzle” ear clips, designed as sculptural, graduated chevrons pavé-set throughout with approximately 4.50 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds. Mounted in 18k...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Diamond Astrale Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Here we have a lovely pair of earrings from the luxury jewellery designer Bvlgari. The earrings feature 1.10 carats of perfectly matched round brilliant cut diamonds. The elegant des...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold 10.07ct Diamond Clip-On Earrings Bulgari
By Bulgari
Located in Broomall, PA
These Bvlgari earrings are made to make a statement. Each is built from a series of stacked, scalloped heart-shaped tiers, densely pavé-set with round brilliant Diamonds across every...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Parentesi 18k Gold Diamond Drop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18k white gold Parentesi collection earrings by Bulgari, with approx. 0.30ctw in G/VS diamonds. Earrings are 40mm long x 10mm wide. Marked Bvlgari, 750, 2337AL. Weight of t...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Diamond Swirl Clip-On Earrings Set in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in London, England
A beautiful pair of Bvlgari diamond swirl clip on earrings set in 18k yellow gold. Each earring centrally features an elegant swirl; which is pavé set throughout with various sizes ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Jewelry historian Vanessa Cron combed 1stDibs and selected some dazzling pieces with timeless appeal.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
