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.
An 18 carat gold Tronchetto Bulgari ring with diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold ring set with brilliant cut diamonds (app. 0.66 carats G-H, Vs, Signed: Bulgari, model: Tronchetto. weight: 9.09 g ring size: 17.75 mm / 7.5 US
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari Parentesi Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Band Ring with Original Box
By Bulgari
Located in Lisbon, PT
Bulgari Bulgari Parentesi Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Band Ring, Italy, with original maker’s box, late 20th century. A bold and architectural Bulgari Parentesi band ring crafted in...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari 18k Gold Parentesi Diamond Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Chic and instantly recognizable Bvlgari Parentesi band ring crafted in 18k yellow gold and accented with pavé‑set diamonds throughout the iconic openwork Parentesi motif. The bright,...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bulgari Alveare Gold and Diamond Ring Band 18k Gold France
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Alveare Ring 18k Yellow Gold images show all marks Band width 8mm Made in France by Bulgari Round brilliant diamonds weigh a total of approximately 1.00 carat Signed Bvlgari ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Bulgari B Zero with Diamonds 18kt Yellow, Sz 57
By Bulgari
Located in Bethesda, MD
This iconic Bulgari B Zero ring showcases three rows of sparkling diamonds totaling approximately 0.80 carats, delivering sophisticated brilliance ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Diamond Musa Ring
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Here we have a wonderfully crafted diamond ring from the world renowned luxury jewellery house of Bvlgari. This piece forms part of their 'Musa' collection and showcases a large gabl...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BVLGARI 18K Yellow Gold Gemstone Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Broomall, PA
BVLGARI 18K Yellow Gold Gemstone Ring Colorful gemstones add visual impact to the top of this classic Bvlgari ring. Simple and elegant, the 18K Yellow Gold setting features a 3mm wid...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BVLGARI Serpenti Viper L 18kt yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Aventura, FL
This stunning expression of Bvlgari's iconic Serpenti collection captures the eternal allure of the serpent—a symbol of wisdom, vitality, and seduction—through the legendary Italian ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 1.01 Carat Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Here we have a highly impressive and rare diamond ring from the world renowned Italian jewellery house of Bvlgari. A single oval faceted 1.01ct diamond sits proud in a rub-over setti...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Bicolor Gold Ring by Bvlgari
By Bulgari
Located in Zurich, CH
Sleek and minimalist 18 karat bicolor gold ring by renowned Italian jewelry house Bvlgari. Crafted in 18 karat yellow and white gold, this attractive vintage ring consists of three ...
Gold, 18k Gold, White 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.
