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.
Bvlgari 1980's Hematite 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Necklace comprised of fluted barrel links accented by 10.0 mm round hematite stations Opaque dark grey in color with metallic finish Accented by high polish finish Completed by conce...
Hematite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 2000's Diamond Onyx 18K Gold Contemporary Amulette De Cartier Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a cable link chain featuring a single disk shaped padlock motif station Inlaid with carved 10.0 mm onyx on both sides - opaque glossy black in color Centering a bezel set...
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold
Bulgari 1970's 8.60 CTW Diamond 18 Karat Gold Vintage Curb Link Chain Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a yellow gold curb link chain alternating with bead set diamond links Round brilliant cut and weighing approximately 8.60 carats total G/H color with VS2 clarity Complete...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 1980's 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hematite Steel Vintage Doppio Cuore Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a segmented geometric links displaying the signature "Doppio Cuore" heart motif Comprised of bar link stations set with alternating pieces of hematite and stainless steel...
Hematite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Bulgari 1980's Multi-Gem 18K YG 18K Gold Vintage Three Stone Station Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a fancy link chain centering a stylized station featuring oval cut buff-top tourmaline, peridot, and citrine Transparent medium reddish pink, yellowish green, and brownis...
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 1980's 18 Karat Tri-Colored Gold Vintage Gancio Link Chain Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Necklace comprised of round rose gold beads, white gold bar link, and interlocking yellow gold links Fitted and alternating in classic "Gancio" motif pattern fully around Completed b...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Signature Black Onyx 29.5" Long Yellow Gold Link Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Black Onyx 29.5" Link Long Signature Necklace by Bulgari. Elegant Bvlgari Bulgari long necklace in luminous 18k yellow gold, featuring signature circular stations s...
Onyx, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Black Onyx Figaro Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold 18 Inch Black Onyx Figaro Necklace 8 piece Black Onyx. 6 mm width 5.41 grams total weight.
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Bulgari BVLGARI BVLGARI Onyx Disc Necklace in Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Bulgari BVLGARI BVLGARI onyx necklace set in 18k yellow gold.
The necklace features a circular disc motif set with...
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Yellow Gold Link Black Enamel Diamond Chain Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
This estate David Webb 18k Yellow Gold chain exhibits the timeless allure of black enamel in jewelry. Black enamel is celebrated for its dark, moody, and bold character. It exudes co...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
14k Yellow Gold Polished Oval Bead Black Onyx Section Open Link Chain Necklace
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (7) Natural Genuine Black Onyx - Oval Bead - Polished - Black - 17.7x13x5.8mm each (approx.) Material: Solid 14K Yellow Gold Weight: 18.96 Grams Length: 20 inches (wea...
Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handmade 8.27ct Black Onyx SI/H 0.76ct Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Chain Necklace
Located in Deira, Dubai
This Handmade Black Onyx Diamond Charm Double Layer 14k Yellow Gold Chain Necklace features double layered design. At the center of each onyx pendant, a single diamond is bezel set a...
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k 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.
