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 Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Snake Mother of Pearl & Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Bulgari Serpenti Viper ring crafted in luxurious 18K gold and accented with luminous mother-of-pearl and brilliant natural diamonds. Inspired by the iconic serpent motif that has bec...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Viper Diamond Pave 18K Rose Gold Chunky Bangle Bracelet Size M
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An iconic Serpenti Viper bangle bracelet by Bulgari, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K rose gold. This bold, chunky design features the Maison’s modern serpent motif full...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Diamond Blue Sapphire Malachite 18K Rose Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An iconic Serpenti bangle bracelet by Bulgari, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K rose gold. This striking piece features the Maison's legendary serpent design adorned wit...
Diamond, Malachite, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Serpenti White Mother of Pearl 18K Yellow Gold Chunky Bangle Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An iconic Serpenti bangle bracelet by Bulgari, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K yellow gold. This bold, chunky design features the Maison’s signature serpent motif adorn...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Seduttori Serpenti Rubellite Diamond Rose Gold Bangle Bracelet Size S
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An iconic Serpenti bangle bracelet by Bulgari, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K rose gold. This striking piece features the Maison’s signature serpent design, adorned wi...
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Diamond 18K White Gold Bangle Bracelet Size 15
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An iconic Serpenti bangle bracelet by Bulgari, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K white gold. This elegant piece features the Maison's legendary serpent design adorned wit...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper 18K Rose Gold Diamond and Onyx Ring #5084
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
A Serpenti Viper with a dark, sensual allure. This rose gold ring features the iconic serpent's head motif with a deep black onyx inlay, contrasting sharply with the alternating poli...
Onyx, Diamond
Bvlgari Rose Gold Onyx & Diamond Serpenti Viper Ring 345220
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k rose gold Bvlgari onyx and diamond ring from the Serpenti collection. The ring is in the form of a serpent wrapping around the finger with an onyx head and featuring alternati...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Diamond Serpenti Viper Ring
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
A pre-owned Bulgari Serpenti Viper Ring with full pavé diamonds, crafted in 18ct rose gold. This one coil ring features Bulgari's iconic snake design complete with approximately 0....
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari B.Zero1 Diamond Black Ceramic 18K Rose Gold Ring Size 6 (52) NEW B&P's
By Bulgari
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The Bvlgari B.Zero1 diamond and black ceramic ring is a striking blend of modern elegance and timeless luxury. Crafted from 18K rose gold, it features a sleek black ceramic band enci...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Black Diamond and Onyx Band Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Bethesda, MD
♦ Designer / Hallmarks: Van Cleef & Arpels ♦ Metal: 18 karat ♦ Gem stone: 20 Diamonds = .60 carats F VS1 ♦ Width 8mm ♦ Design Era: Contemporary ♦ Circa 1999 ♦ Size 6, ♦ Weight 7...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Black, Starr and Frost Onyx and Diamond Ring
Located in Darnestown, MD
Unusual diamond and black onyx ring by Black, Starr and Frost in which the two gems appear to be interlaced. The ring has round brilliant diamonds that weigh approximately 3.2 carats...
Diamond, Onyx, 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.
