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 Coral and Diamond Fish Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Bethesda, MD
Discover timeless elegance with this exquisite Bvlgari Coral and Diamond Fish Ring. Crafted in 18kt yellow gold, this size 6 masterpiece features two int...
Coral, 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
Bulgari Doppio Cuore 18kt Vintage Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Bethesda, MD
This elegant Bulgari Doppio Cuore vintage ring showcases the iconic Italian jeweler's timeless design in luxurious two-tone 18kt gold. The piece artfully combines warm yellow gold wi...
Vaid Roma Pave Diamond Italian Snake Ring
By Vaid Roma
Located in Bethesda, MD
This exquisite import by Pampillonia Jewelers, designed by Vaid in Rome, is a striking example of Italian artistry. Crafted in 18kt yellow gold, the ring features a sculptural, snake...
Diamond, 18k Gold
B Zero Five Band Ring By Bulgari
By Bulgari
Located in Bethesda, MD
The iconic Bulgari B-Zero1 Five Band Ring showcases the maison's signature design in lustrous 18kt yellow gold. This timeless piece features five interlocking bands that create a bol...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Bvlgari Rose Gold Ring with Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Bethesda, MD
Iconic Bvlgari design in luxurious rose gold. This elegant ring features twelve brilliant diamonds totaling 0.28 carats, expertly set to catch the light from every angle. The signatu...
Diamond, Rose 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
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
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 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 "Doppio" Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Created in the 1980s, this unusual early Bulgari "Doppio" ring is composed of pink tourmaline, peridot, and 18K gold. The twin stone form is set with a cabochon pink tourmaline and p...
Peridot, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
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
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.
