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.
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond Ruby Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. Set with ruby (5.4 x 5.4mm) and approx. 0.28ctw in diamonds. Ring size - 7.75, ring top is 15mm wide. Marked: Van Cleef & Arpels,NY 5k 531...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Verney Paris Gold 14 Carat Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
An 18k yellow gold ring by Verney Paris, set with approx. 4.50ctw in diamonds and center approx. 14ct ruby ( stone measures 12.5 x 11.9 x 8.8mm). Ring size 6m width is 18mm. Marked V...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Antique English 15 Karat Gold Rubellite Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique English made 15k yellow gold ring, with rubellite tourmalines and 4 diamonds. Ring size - 6, ring top - 7.6mm wide. Marked: 625, Anchor mark, English mark. Weight - 1.9 grams...
Diamond, Gold
Vintage Verdura 18k Gold Garnet Bypass Double Stone Ring
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Verdura 18k Gold Garnet Bypass Ring. Crafted in 18K gold and set with two vibrant round-cut Orange-ish gemstones. The bold twisted gold band adds a touch of retro glamour, ...
Garnet, 18k Gold
40 Carat Ruby Cabochon Gold Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Impressive 18k yellow gold cocktail ring, set with an approx. 40cts ruby cabochon (measuring approx. 21.3 x 16.5 x 10.5mm) , diamonds approx. 1.90ctw. ring size - 8, ring top is 30m...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
14 Karat Gold, Oval Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
14 kt., centering one oval ruby approximately 7.50 cts., surrounded by 15 old-mine cut diamonds approximately 2.00 cts., approximately 5.8 dwts. Size 7 1/4 Ruby: vivid raspberry red...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Band Ring 18k Gold Cabochon Ruby Diamond AGL Certificate
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vintage Bulgari band ring made 18k gold, featuring cabochon ruby and diamonds. The ring comes with the AGL and GIA certificates. The band has a smooth and substantial presence wit...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bulgari, Vintage 18K Yellow Gold and Rubelite Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
This classic ring by Bulgari features a gorgeous oval cabochon rubelite measuring approximately 10.20 x 7.80 x 4.85 mm and weighing 4.15 carats. Mounted in 18 karat yellow gold in a ...
Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Bvlgari Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Rubellite Pink Tourmaline Ring with Box
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Bvlgari Pink Rubellite Tourmaline Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Beautiful domed rubellite pink tourmaline set in a fine 18k yellow gold tension set ring. Ring size UK K...
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
An 18k Gold Bulgari Ring with Pink Tourmaline
By Bulgari
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18k yellow gold band ring asymmetrically set with 2 oval faceted tourmalines (app. 1.44 ct), one light pink and one bright pink, with a ribbed shank, signed Bulgari, circa 1990s. ...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Unisex 18k Gold Retro Cabochon Ruby Ring, Circa 1980s, Italy, 10ct
Located in Firenze, IT
Centering on an east west set oval cabochon ruby, with in a sculpted gold mounting Ring size 7 1/4 Ruby:One oval cabochon weighing approximately 10 carats Marks: 750, Italian registr...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Certica Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Rubellite Pink Purple Tourmaline Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Bvlgari Pink Purple Rubellite Tourmaline Certica Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Beautiful domed rubellite pink purple tourmaline set in a fine 18k yellow gold tension set ...
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k 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.
