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 Tondo Sun Diamond 18k Gold Steel Pendant Long Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Simpsonville, SC
The BVLGARI Sunburst Pendant Necklace is a striking piece of jewelry that showcases exceptional design and craftsmanship. This necklace features a captivating sunburst motif in 18K y...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Bulgari BVLGARI BVLGARI Onyx Iconic Disc Triple Motif 18K White Gold Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Lisbon, PT
Bulgari BVLGARI BVLGARI Iconic Triple Disc Motif Onyx Necklace, 18K White Gold, Late 20th / Early 21st Century, with Original Box and Outer Box. An enduring emblem of Roman design, ...
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari 18K White Gold Onyx Circle Motif Necklace 19" 33g
By Bulgari
Located in Carmel By The Sea, CA
Description This item is offered on consignment on behalf of a client; all serious and reasonable offers are presented for consideration, and I work diligently to achieve a mutually ...
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
A fish tondo necklace by Bulgari
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A design distinctive of Bulgari, the fish tondo necklace would make an excellent initial foray into the iconic Italian jewelry house. Crafted in 18 carat yellow gold and steel, this ...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Bulgari Tondo Taurus Zodiac Sign Gold and Steel Pendant Cord Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
18k gold and stainless steel Tondo Taurus pendant by Bvlgari, on a brown leather and 18k gold cord necklace. Necklace is 15"is 32mm in diameter . Ma...
Gold, Steel
Bulgari 1990's 18K Gold Steel Leather Cord Tondo Clover Vintage Pendant Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of multi-strand leather cord suspending a round disk pendant from tapered bale Designed as a stylized yellow gold four leaf clover with a stainless steel frame surround Ins...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Bulgari Bvlgari Bvlgari Reversible Gold Necklace with Diamond and Onyx Elements
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
Elegant and iconic Bulgari Bvlgari Bvlgari necklace crafted in 18k white gold, featuring a series of reversible double-face elements: one side adorned with brilliant-cut diamond pavé...
Citrine, Sapphire, Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Gold Diamond Steel Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Created by Bvlgari, this necklace features a gold heart inside a circular steel. Diamonds in the shape of another heart is found within the gold heart. Total weight: 29.4 grams. Leng...
Diamond, Gold, Steel
Bulgari Gold and Steel Diamond Zodiac Pendant Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
18k gold and stainless steel Zodiac pendant on an 18k gold chain necklace, both crafted by Bvlgari. Pendant depicting all 12 Zodiac signs, with one G/V...
Diamond, Gold, Steel
Bvlgari B.Zero1 Black White Bronze Ceramic 19 Rondel Long Rose Gold Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Bvlgari necklace from the iconic B.Zero1 collection is crafted in 18k rose gold and accented with 19 rondels in white, black, and bronze ceramics. Made in Italy circa 2...
Rose Gold
LANVIN silver-tone brass & glass TRAVIATA FLORAL Necklace
By Lanvin Paris
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Lanvin necklace features a silver-tone and black leather design, crafted from polished brass. It boasts a striking statement pendant adorned with crystal embellis...
CHANEL silver-tone 21K STRASS & RESIN MIRROR LOCKET Necklace
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chanel Resin Crystal Lambskin Ball Mirror Necklace in black and silver is a striking and playful statement piece. The design features a crystal-embellished round ...
CHANEL silver-tone 19C LA PAUSA CRYSTAL LIFESAVER PENDENT CHAIN Necklace
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chanel necklace features a delicate silver-tone chain with a clear crystal-encrusted lifesaver pendant, showcasing a CC logo at the center. A refined yet statemen...
BOTTEGA VENETA brown leather & STERLING SILVER HAND Necklace
By Bottega Veneta
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Bottega Veneta Intrecciato necklace in antiqued sterling silver. Hand woven chain with dark brown leather inset hand pedant. Has been worn and is in excellent conditio...
CHANEL gold-tone metal 1990s MEDALLION CHAIN Belt OZ
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Chanel waist belt is crafted in gold-plated curb links and finished with a dangling coin medallion at the end—an iconic accent that brings timeless Chanel elegan...
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI cream & black MONILI FRINGE Choker Necklace
By Brunello Cucinelli
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Brunello Cucinelli choker necklace crafted in cream Monili fringe with contrasting black Monili tips that create a soft ombré effect. Finished with a supple black leat...
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.
