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.
MAKI K18 Gold 0.54 Carat Diamond Cluster Cocktail Ring Japan
Located in 台東区, JP
An elegant vintage diamond ring by MAKI, expertly crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and set with 0.54 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds. The design features a graceful floral-ins...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
LANVIN Diamond Floral Openwork K18 Gold Fashion Ring
By Lanvin Paris
Located in 台東区, JP
An elegant diamond band ring by LANVIN, expertly crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. The wide band features an intricate openwork floral motif inspired by blooming roses, framed by rows...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
TASAKI Mother of Pearl Diamond 18K White Gold Geometric Ring
By TASAKI
Located in 台東区, JP
A sophisticated geometric ring by Japanese fine jeweler TASAKI, crafted in 18K white gold and set with luminous mother-of-pearl and diamonds. The design features multiple mother-of-...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Hoshi no Suna K18 Rose Gold Diamond Bypass Fashion Ring
Located in 台東区, JP
An elegant diamond ring by Hoshi no Suna, expertly crafted in 18 karat rose gold. The graceful bypass design features flowing curves that embrace a cluster of brilliant-cut diamonds ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Louis Vuitton Color Blossom 18K Rose Gold Mother-of-Pearl Ring
By Louis Vuitton
Located in 台東区, JP
An elegant Louis Vuitton Color Blossom ring crafted in luxurious 18 karat rose gold, showcasing the Maison’s iconic Monogram Flower motif in luminous white mother-of-pearl. Inspired...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
TASAKI Alternating Bezel and Prong Set Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring
By TASAKI
Located in 台東区, JP
An elegant TASAKI diamond ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and timeless sophistication for which the renowned Japanese jeweler is celebrated...
BULGARI Serpenti Viper Diamond Mother-of-Pearl Rose Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Bulgari one-coil ring from the classic Serpenti Viper collection is crafted in 18k rose gold and set with brilliant-cut E-F-G VVS1-VVS2 diamonds and white Mother-of-Pea...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Diva's Dream Ring, 18K Rose Gold, 1.10ct Diamonds, Circa 2015
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Stunning BVLGARI Diva's Dream ring in 18K rose gold and diamonds, featuring an elegant alternation of triangular mother-of-pearl motifs, delicately accented with brilliant-cut diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti L 18K Rose Gold Diamond Tubogas Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An iconic expression of Bvlgari’s legendary design language, this Serpenti Tubogas ring is crafted in 18K rose gold and accented with diamonds for added brilliance and sensual elegan...
Diamond, Rose Gold
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 Tubogas Ring in Steel, Rose Gold and Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
A striking creation from Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti collection, this Tubogas ring coils sensually around the finger, echoing the sinuous form of a serpent. Crafted in polished stainle...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Steel
Bvlgari Diva's Dreams Diamond Ring 18K Rose Gold 3.07Ctw Size 7
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Fall in love with this beautiful Bvlgari Diva's Dreams diamond ring. This ring is crafted in lustrous 18k rose gold and features 117 of the finest diamonds, one prong-set diamond in ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose 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.
