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.
Boucheron 3.70 ct. No-Heat Kashmir Sapphire Ring, c.1950
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
Carat Weight: 3.70 ct. Color/Clarity: Kashmir No Heat Certifications: SSEF Size: 4.5 Creator: Boucheron Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 9.26 grams Period: 1950s At the heart of this ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Bulgari 31.39ct Ceylon Yellow Sapphire Diamond Ring Spectra Fine Jewelry
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A classic Bulgari Trombino ring from the 1970s, designed around a luminous cushion-cut yellow sapphire weighing 31.39 carats. According to AGL, the sapphire's origin is Ceylon (Sri L...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 6.40 Carat Certified Sapphire Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Carat Weight: Sapphire 6.40 carat Color/Clarity: Untreated Certifications: GRS Size: 6 Creator: Bulgari Metal: 18k white gold Weight: 8.48 grams Period: Contemporary Condition: Used ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
M. Gérard 14ct Yellow Gold Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring, France
By M. Gérard
Located in New York, NY
After many years with Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Gérard founded M. Gerard in 1968, opening his first boutique on Avenue Montaigne in Paris. Motivated by a passion to create the wo...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
23.01ct Unheated Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Spectra Fine Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Carat Weight: 23.01 ct. Sapphire Color/Clarity: Ceylon No Heat Sapphire, 202 Diamonds = 5.50cts E-G VS (2 GIA) Certifications: Gubelin and GIA Size: 6 Creator: Spectra Fine Jewelry M...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Spectra Fine Jewelry 6.0 Carat Unheated Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Spectra Fine Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
A timeless classic with a bold splash of color—this striking ring centers on a magnificent 6.00 carat oval Ceylon sapphire, certified by GRS as unheated, showcasing its natural beaut...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BVLGARI Natural Unheated Sapphire and Diamond Ring, 18k & Platinum
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A BVLGARI Natural Unheated Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Ring, 18k & Platinum. The sapphire weighs anywhere from 10.50 carats t...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
BVLGARI Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 4.74 Ctw In Diamonds And Sapphire
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
A cocktail ring designed by Bvlgari. An extraordinary cocktail ring, created in Rome Italy by the jewelry house of Bvlgari. This ring has been crafted in solid white gold of 18 kara...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Bulgari Ceylon sapphire and diamond 'Trombino' ring, circa 1980.
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Bulgari Ceylon sapphire and diamond 'Trombino' ring. Set to centre with one oval mixed cut natural no heat Ceylon sapphire in an open back claw setting with a weight of 8.03 carats, ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Bulgari Sapphire Cabochon Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Bethesda, MD
Discover timeless elegance with this stunning Bulgari Sapphire Cabochon Ring, crafted in 18kt yellow gold. Featuring a magnificent sapphire cabochon weighing approximately 10 carats,...
Sapphire, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Sri Lankan Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 18 Karat Gold, circa 1980s–1990s
By Bulgari
Located in Roma, RM
This impressive vintage ring by Bvlgari dates to the late 1980s–1990s, a period during which the Roman Maison embraced bold architectural forms combined with exceptional gemstone qua...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Bvlgari Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, by Bvlgari, Italy. This fabulous seventies ring features a 1.40-carat heart-shaped sapphire and 1.0 carat of brilliant white diamonds (G color, VS clarity). Beautif...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, 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.
