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 Set of Two Tubogas Rings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
From the Tubogas collection, this set of two Bvlgari rings is made out of three 18 karat gold: yellow, white, and rose. Together, they weigh 13.1 grams. Size 6.5.
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Gold Tubogas Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari 18 karat yellow, white, and rose gold ring from the iconic Tubogas collection. Marked: Bvlgari / Made in Italy. It weighs 7.2 grams. Size 5.75-6.
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Gold Tubogas Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari 18 karat yellow, white, and rose gold ring from the iconic Tubogas collection. Marked: Bvlgari / Made in Italy. It weighs 4.9 grams. Size 6-6.25.
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Gold Tubogas Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari 18 karat yellow, white, and rose gold ring from the iconic Tubogas collection. Marked: Bvlgari / Made in Italy. It weighs 5.8 grams. Size 6.
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Tubogas Ring 18k Gold Finger size 6
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Original Bvlgari 18k Yellow & White Gold Ring Band from the iconic Tubogas collection. Made in Italy Weighs 7 grams. Finger Size 6 All marks can be seen in the pictures. Pre-own...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Spiga 18k Gold Diamond Triple Wrap Flexible Coil Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Original Bulgari Spiga Flexible Strap Bracelet Highlighted with brilliant-cut diamonds, Inner circumference approximately 6' - 7' inches size is adjustable and flexible. signed Bulga...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
BVLGARI Tubogas Ring K18 Yellow Gold White Gold Pink Gold US-size 8 1/2
By Bulgari
Located in Tokyo, JP
■ Item Number: TMR2312060008 ■ Brand: BVLGARI ■ Product Name: Tubogas Ring ■ Reference Number: - ■ Material: 750 K18 Yellow Gold, White Gold, and Pink Gold ■ Weight: Approximately 17...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Tubogas Tri-Color 18k Gold Band Ring Size 6.5
By Bulgari
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Bvlgari Collection/Style: Tubogas Tri-Color Band Ring Material: 18k yellow, white, and rose gold Hallmarks: Bvlgari 750 96523 Design: Seamless flexible Tubogas constructio...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
BVLGARI Yellow Gold 3 Row 'SPIGA' Ring Band
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The BVLGARI Yellow Gold 3 Row 'SPIGA' Ring Band is a flexible and stylish piece that wraps your finger in pure luxury! Picture three rows of gleaming yellow gold woven together in a ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Ring in 18k Yellow Gold and Steel, 1980s
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
A striking and iconic vintage Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas ring from the 1980s, crafted in a luxurious combination of 18k yellow gold and stainless steel. This elegant piece wraps fluidl...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
18 Karat Bicolor Gold Ring by Bvlgari
By Bulgari
Located in Zurich, CH
Sleek and minimalist 18 karat bicolor gold ring by renowned Italian jewelry house Bvlgari. Crafted in 18 karat yellow and white gold, this attractive vintage ring consists of three ...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Tubogas Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
An iconic Bulgari Tubogas ring circa 1980's showcasing 18k yellow gold in a perfectly balanced ring. The ring measures a size 6.5. The flexible nature of this ring allows some play i...
Gold, 18k 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.
