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 4ct Sugarloaf Amethyst Gold Steel Tubogas Bangle, Circa 1990
By Bulgari
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Graphic, innovative, rare and distinctly Bvlgari! Bigger than you think, but just as cool as expected. The sugarloaf amethyst measures 10.4x10.4mm, 7,8mm and is estimated to weigh...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Bulgari 1980s Doppio Gold Ring, 1.7ct Blue Topaz & 1.13ct Iolite, Italy
By Bulgari
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
A gem-set doppio ring by Bvlgari. Signature piece of design, created in Rome Italy by the acclaimed jewelry house of Bulgari. This popular ring is part of the iconic doppio collecti...
Iolite, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hemmerle 2.57ct Sapphire and 1.8ct Ruby Signet Ring, Munich Germany, 1980s
By Hemmerle
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Color, proportion, construction. Hemmerle rarely needs much else. At the center sits an oval cut sapphire of approximately 2.57 carats, a deep, intense dark blue framed by twelve re...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
3.3 ct Sugarloaf Emerald , Ruby and Diamond 18kt Gold Cocktail Ring.
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
The ring is strong and geometrical. Clear gold lines, complementing gemstone shapes. The sugarloaf emerald glowing on top. Calibrated tapered rubies, all framed by brilliant cut diam...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Chandra Porcelain Rubellite Ring, circa 1990.
By Bulgari
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
The word “Chandra” literally means “bright, shining or glittering” and is used for the “Moon” in Sanskrit and other Indian languages. Hello 90s! A beautiful ring in 18kt yellow gold...
Rubelite
Bvlgari Mediterranean Eden Sassi Amethyst Diamond Gold Bracelet, Italy
By Bulgari
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Bulgari ‘Mediterranean Eden’ amethyst, diamond and gold bracelet. Four polished highly translucent gorgeously saturated amethyst beads and four...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
MARCHAK Paris 1970 Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Yellow Gold With 41.51 Cts Amethyst
By Marchak
Located in Miami, FL
A cocktail ring band designed by Marchak Paris. This is an absolutely stunning cocktail ring, created in Paris France by the jewelry house of Marchak, back in the 1970. The geometri...
Amethyst, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Bulgari Amethyst Ring, 2.54 Carats
By Bulgari
Located in New Orleans, LA
This vibrant ring by the Italian jewelry house Bulgari centers a richly saturated oval cut amethyst. The 2.54-carat gemstone displays an ideal deep purple hue and is set within a bol...
Amethyst, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Cocktail Ring in 18kt Gold with Amethyst and Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Aventura, FL
This beautiful cocktail ring by Bvlgari from the Parentesi collection is crafted in luxurious 18kt yellow gold. The centerpiece is a striking multifaceted natural amethyst, accented ...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-Century Amethyst Cocktail Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This mid-century cocktail ring features a high-domed elongated oval cabochon amethyst measuring approximately 20 x 10mm and weighing approximately 11.57 carats. Set in 18K yellow go...
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Russian Rose Gold Amethyst Cocktail Ring, Circa 1980s, 15ct
Located in Palm Desert, CA
14 Karat Russian Rose Gold Amethyst Ring. The ring features a bezel-set 15.0ct oval cabochon Amethyst. The handmade ring also contains custom looped ...
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
18K Gold and Amethyst Ring Made 1951
Located in Stockholm, SE
This striking ring is crafted in 18-karat gold and showcases a deep purple amethyst as its centerpiece. The gemstone is smooth-polished in a classic cabochon cut, creating a rich, do...
Amethyst, 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.
