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 Serpenti Viper Ring, 18kt Rose Gold, Pavé Diamonds, Italy
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
This Bvlgari Serpenti Viper ring in 18kt rose gold with full pavé diamonds coils sensually around the finger, summoning the power and mystique of a venomous snake. Serpenti Viper on...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Viper One-Coil Ring With Pave Diamonds On Head 18K Rose Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Aventura, FL
Serpenti Viper one-coil 18 kt rose gold ring set with pavé diamonds on the head. With its signature blend of pure aesthetics, enveloping shapes and charismatic flair, the Serpenti Vi...
Diamond, 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
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper One Coil Diamond & MOP Ring 18K Rose Gold 0.90Ctw 1.35Ctw
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This captivating and beautifully designed ring from Bvlgari sensually coils around the finger, combining the beauty of precious scales with the sinuosity of a snake. It's crafted in ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Snake Diamond Rose Gold Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
A captivating expression of Bulgari’s iconic design heritage, this Serpenti Viper Band Ring is exquisitely crafted in 18K rose gold and showcases the Maison’s legendary serpent motif...
Diamond, Rose Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Viper Diamond 18k Rose Gold 3-Row Sm. Ring. COA, Box.
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Bvlgari Serpenti ring features a 3-row viper design crafted in 18k rose gold and set with 68 round brilliant-cut E-F VVS1-VVS2 diamonds weighing an estimated 1.13 carat...
Diamond, Rose Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Viper Ruby Full Pave Diamond Rose Gold 3-Row Medium Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 3-row ring from Bulgari's alluring Serpenti collection is crafted in 18k rose gold and fully pave-set with 122 round brilliant-cut E-F-G VVS1-VVS2 diamonds of an est...
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
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
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
Vintage Bulgari Serpenti Rubelite and Diamond Ring in Rose Gold
By Bulgari
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Bulgari Serpenti diamond ring set in 18k rose gold.
The ring is composed of a coiling serpent design, set with a vibrant rubellite and accented with...
Diamond, Rubelite, Other, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Rose Gold Diamond Serpenti Viper Ring Size 55 353288
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A sophisticated 18k rose gold diamond ring by Bvlgari from the Serpenti collection. The Serpenti Viper ring coils around the finger, comprising of alternating stations of 6 high poli...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Rose Gold Diamond B.Zero1 Ring 0.30ct F/VVS2
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k rose gold diamond Bvlgari ring from the B.Zero1 collection. Set to the centre of the ring is a 0.30ct round brilliant cut diamond in a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Chanel Beige / Rose Gold Diamond Coco Crush Ring Size 60 J11100
By Chanel
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A beautiful 18k beige / rose gold diamond Chanel ring from the Coco Crush collection. The ring features a quilted motif design, with scattered round brilliant cut diamonds. There are...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Chanel Beige / Rose Gold Diamond Coco Crush Ring Size 50 J11100
By Chanel
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A beautiful 18k beige / rose gold diamond Chanel ring from the Coco Crush collection. The ring features a quilted motif design, with scattered round brilliant cut diamonds. There are...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Cartier Rose Gold Diamond Clash de Cartier Ring Size 53 N4765400
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k rose gold ring, from Cartier's Clash de Cartier collection. The rings design is composed of the centre being set throughout with 18 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.53ct whi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Rose Gold Diamond Serpenti Earrings 2.06 Carat
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k rose gold pair of diamond earrings by Bvlgari from the Serpenti collection. The earrings are in the shape of the iconic Bvlgari Serpenti snake set wit...
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.
