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 1980's Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Passo Doppio Station Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Necklace comprised of deeply grooved links accented by 8.0 mm round cultured pearl stations White in body color with rosé overtones and excellent luster With a high polished gold fin...
Pearl, 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
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 2000's Pearl Multi-Gem Diamond 18K Gold Contemporary Allegra Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as two rows of fancy hinged link chain featuring an array of gemstones prong and bar set throughout Gemstones consist of pink and green tourmaline, citrine, blue and pink to...
Citrine, Diamond, Iolite, Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k G...
Mikimoto 1940's Retro Pearl 14K Yellow Gold Vintage Scrolling Station Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a cable link chain centering a swirling gold station with clustered pearls Ranging in size from 4.0 to 7.5 mm round - rose body color with strong iridescence Completed by...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
Bulgari Lucea Yellow Gold Long Chain Pearl Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
The Bulgari Bvlgari Lucea 18k Yellow Gold 34" 7mm Pearl Necklace showcases a sleek design with lustrous 7mm pearls. Crafted in exquisite 18k yellow...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold Lycea Pearl Chain 33 Inches Long Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A timeless and elegant creation from Bvlgari, this “Lycea” necklace is beautifully crafted in rich 18K yellow gold and features a flowing design adorned with luminous cultured pearls...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Vermeil Pearl Strand Necklace with Rolo and Paperclip Chain
Located in New York, NY
Discover the splendor of timeless elegance with this exquisite necklace, beautifully marrying the lustrous glow of cultured freshwater pearls with the warm radiance of 18K yellow gol...
Pearl, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Gold and Pearl Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Pears. Signed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Circa 1980s 15 3/4 inches long
Pearl, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti 18k Gold 36" Long 14 Pearl By the Yard Necklace Chain
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (14) Genuine Cultured Pearls -Round Shape - White - Excellent Luster - 6.9mm each (approx.) Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 11.34 Grams Chain Type: Rare long 36” ...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Yurman South Sea Pearl and 18K Yellow Gold Toggle Necklace
By David Yurman
Located in Chicago, IL
Exquisitely crafted by David Yurman, this sophisticated necklace features a luxurious 18K yellow gold chain adorned with three lustrous South Sea pearls. The piece is designed with a...
South Sea Pearl, 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.
