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 Bulgari B.Zero1 Diamond White Gold Band Ring 54
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous ring from Bulgari's iconic B.zero1 collection features a wide band design crafted in 18k white gold, engraved with the Bvlgari logo on both sides and pave-set with bril...
Diamond, White Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Viper Diamond White Gold 2 Row Ring. Box COA
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 2-row ring from Bulgari's alluring Serpenti collection is crafted in 18k white gold and fully pave-set with round brilliant-cut round E-F-G VVS1-VVS2 diamonds of an ...
Diamond, White Gold
Cartier Panthere Claws Diamond Onyx 18k White Gold Ring 52
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Cartier dome ring from the chic Panthere Claws collection is crafted in 18k white gold, accented with black onyx, and pave-set with round brilliant D-E-F VVS1-VVS2 diam...
Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari B.Zero1 Diamond White Gold Unisex Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This unisex ring from Bulgari's iconic B.zero1 collection features the single band design engraved with the Bvlgari logo on both sides crafted in 18k white gold and set with round b...
Diamond, White Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Viper Diamond White Gold Medium Ring Box
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Bulgari one-coil ring from the classic Serpenti Viper collection is crafted in 18k white gold and fully pavé set with brilliant-cut diamonds weighing an estimated 1.74 ...
Diamond, White Gold
Cartier Trinity Diamond Platinum White Gold Ceramic Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent ring from the Trinity de Cartier collection features 3 interconnected bands, crafted in 950 platinum, 18k white gold and black ceramic. The white band is pave-set wi...
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Bvlgari Elysia 18K White Gold 0.65ct Diamond and Onyx Ring BV13-040726
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
This Bvlgari Elysia ring will always make a subtle statement. An Onyx gemstone elevates the contemporary 18K White Gold setting, which shines to life th...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Estate Bulgari Pyramid Onyx and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Houston, TX
Bulgari Pyramid ring in 18K white gold featuring onyx accented by round diamonds. There are 46 round diamonds that total 1.35 carats, F-G color a...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bulgari Diamond Set 18ct White Gold Lucéa Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Bulgari Diamond Set 18ct White Gold Lucéa Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J646 Brand: Bulgari Model: Lucéa Ring Type: Ring Age: 2000 Material(s): 18ct White Gold Gemstone: Diamond U...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi 18K White Gold 0.72ct Diamond Ring BV10-012226
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
This Bvlgari Parentesi ring is crafted in 18K white gold and features a 14mm wide-band form. Signature bracket-shaped Parentesi motifs repeat across the openworked center, creating a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari B.Zero1 Diamond 18K White Gold Four-Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Lisbon, PT
Bulgari Bvlgari B.Zero1 Diamond 18K White Gold Four-Band Ring, with maker’s box. A design that has become almost architectural in its clarity, the B.Zero1 is Bulgari at its most dis...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Lucea Diamond White Gold Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Lucea Band Ring by Bulgari. With 20 round brilliant cut diamonds VS1 clarity, G color total weight approximately .20ct. Details: Size: 6.5 Weight: 13.6 grams...
Diamond, White 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.
