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.
Bulgari Alveare Gold and Steel Hoop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 18k yellow gold and stainless steel Alveare hoop earrings by Bvlgari. Earrings measure 25mm (1" ) in diameter and 9.5mm wide. For non pierced ears, posts can be easily adde...
Gold, Steel
BVLGARI Gold and Steel Parentesi-Style Tapered Half Hoop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Greenwich, CT
The earrings are a pair from BVLGARI's Parentesi line, built as tapered half hoops that widen from a narrow top to a broad curve at the base. Fluted 18k yellow gold links wrap the st...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
$6,500
W 0.4 in L 0.79 in
Bulgari Alveare Earrings 18k Gold and Stainless Steel Ear Clip Hoops Parentesi
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari Original The iconic Parentesi collection, these ear clips are composed of gold and stainless steel. extension of the Bvlgari Parentesi and Tubogas styles. Made in the 1980's ...
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Gold Earrings 18k Spiga Collection Clip-On
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A pair of Bulgari Spiga huggie earrings, crafted in 18k gold and feature the iconic chevron pattern that defines the Spiga collection. The woven design is inspired by wheat stalks, g...
Gold, 18k Gold
BVLGARI 18K Dual Hues of Gold Ear Clips
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural and timeless, these BVLGARI ear clips express the house’s signature harmony between form and proportion. Fashioned in tones of 18K gold—yellow and white—they exhibit a ref...
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Gold Bulgari Elliptic Diamond Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Golden Spiral A dance of form and light, captured in gold. These modern earrings from 1970 embody a sleek elegance with their spiral design. Crafted in 18k gold, each piece features ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bulgari 18k Gold Vintage Tubogas Clip Earrings, Italy, 1980s Design
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Original Bulgari clip Earrings Made in Italy 18k White and Yellow Gold approx weight 29 grams Size: diameter approx 22mm Width: approx 10mm Design: Rounded, “twisted ribbon” silhou...
18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari 18k Gold Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
18k gold earrings, signed Bulgari Size/Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.2 cm (1 x 7/8 in) Gross Weight: 36.1 grams
18k Gold
Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A striking pair of Bvlgari Parentesi hoop earrings crafted in 18K yellow gold and accented with polished hematite. Inspired by the iconic architectural motif that became one of Bvlga...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$14,750
W 0.5 in L 0.88 in
Bulgari 1980's 18K Tri-Colored Gold Vintage Tubogas J-Hoop Ear-Clip Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as graduated j-hoop style earrings deeply grooved with "Serpenti" tubogas Alternating in pattern with white, yellow, and rose gold segments Completed by hinged omega backs S...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1990s Bvlgari Roma Doppio Cuore Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and stainless steel. Signed by Bvlgari Circa 1990s 1 1/2 x 3/4 inch
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1990s Bvlgari Two-Toned Doppio Cuore Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold. Signed by Bvlgari Circa 1990s
18k Gold
Vintage 1990s Cartier Trinity Hoop Earrings
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k rose, white, and yellow gold. Signed by Cartier Circa 1994 1 inch long, 1/2 inch wide
18k Gold
Marina B Two-Toned Fusulli Earrings
By Marina B
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold. Signed by Marina B 1 1/4 x 1/2 inch
18k Gold
Vintage 1950s David Webb Gold Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by David Webb Circa 1950s 1 1/4 x 7/8 inch
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Marina B Karen Earrings with Diamonds
By Marina B
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and a stainless steel plate with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds. Signed by Marina B Circa 1987
Diamond, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
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.
