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.
David Yurman 18K Cable Coil Diamond Ring Yellow Gold Size 7.5
By David Yurman
Located in Fairfield, CT
David Yurman 18K Cable Coil Diamond Ring Yellow Gold Size 7.5 This David Yurman ring is made in 18k yellow gold with the designer’s signature cable ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Peridot Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Fairfield, CT
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Peridot Ring 18K Yellow Gold This Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas ring is made in 18K yellow gold and features the iconic coiled silhouette that has become one of...
Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier French Coral Chrysoprase Ring Diamond Accented 18K Yellow Gold 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Fairfield, CT
Cartier French Coral Chrysoprase Ring Diamond Accented 18K Yellow Gold 1990s This Cartier ring is made in 18K yellow gold and centers on an oval coral cabochon displaying a soft sal...
Diamond, Coral, Chrysophrase, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Bulgari Spiga Pave Diamond Ring 18K White Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Fairfield, CT
Bvlgari Spiga Pavé Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold This Bvlgari Spiga ring is made in 18K white gold and features approximately 0.65 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds. The desig...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier 18K Snake Ring Vintage Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Accents
By Cartier
Located in Fairfield, CT
Cartier 18K Snake Ring Vintage Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Accents This Cartier snake ring is made in 18K yellow gold and designed as a coiled serpen...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ring Wave Eternity Band French 18K Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfield, CT
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ring Wave Eternity Band French 18K Yellow Gold This Van Cleef & Arpels band ring is made in 18K yellow gold and features approximately 1.37 carats of rou...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
22k Gold Intaglio Ring with Agate, Goddess Fortuna, Italy, 3rd Century
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: III century Ring size: 8 ½ Weight: 5,61 gr L’intaglio di epoca romana, ascrivibile al III secolo circa, è realizzato in agata e oro. Al centro si scorge l’incisione della de...
Carnelian, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Ring with Citrine in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Lucerne, CH
This exquisite Bvlgari ring, crafted from 18 Karat yellow gold, showcases a stunning rectangular citrine gemstone. The citrine's warm, amber hue and polished finish add a touch of vi...
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Sculptural Yellow Gold Ring with Citrine Cabochon Center
By Bulgari
Located in Roma, IT
This vintage Bulgari ring is a bold statement piece, showcasing the brand's unmistakable design language. The centerpiece is a large citrine cabochon, with a warm honey tone, cut int...
Yellow Gold
INTAGLIO 1900 Antique Signet Ring In 14Kt Yellow Gold With Carved Brown Agate
Located in Miami, FL
An antique intaglio signet ring. This is a gorgeous antique signet ring, created in England during the Edwardian period, back in the 1900. The ring has been crafted with smooth line...
Agate, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Vintage Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring Size 5.75 #25066
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18K Yellow Gold Vintage Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring Elegant and timeless, this 18k yellow gold signet ring features a richly hued carnelian intaglio, expertly carved with classic...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
10 Karat Yellow Gold Cameo Ring Size 5.5 #21899
Located in Washington Depot, CT
10 Karat Yellow Gold Cameo Ring Size 5.5 This lovely ring showcases a beautifully carved cameo of a woman in profile. Set in polished 10K yellow gold, this classic piece reflects ti...
10k 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.
