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.
Bulgari 1990's Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Tronchetto Cluster Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a domed rectangular form pavé set with round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing approximately 2.25 carat total - G color with VS2 clarity Flanked by flaring shoulders Comple...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 1990's Diamond Tourmaline 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Passo Doppio Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a domed form pavé set with round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing approximately 1.16 carats total - G color with VS2 clarity Flanked by carved faceted tourmaline inlay mea...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 1980's Yellow Sapphire 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Eternity Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring princess cut sapphires channel set fully around Weighing 2.67 carats total - transparent medium yellow Flanked by rounded matte gold channel walls Inscribed with carat weig...
Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Ceramic 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Chandra Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a carved ceramic sugarloaf measuring 15.0 x 9.0 mm - opaque glossy white Displaying grooved linear waves throughout Bar set in flaring shoulders Completed by high polish fi...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 1970's Round Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Eternity Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring round brilliant cut diamonds diamonds channel set fully around Weighing approximately 1.04 carats total - G color with VS2 clarity Stamped with Italian assay marks for 18 k...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier French 1950's 2.55 CTW Diamond Platinum 18K Gold Vintage Woven Dome Ring
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a domed form comprised of platinum and fluted gold segments Arranged as a basket weave motif with fluted texture throughout gold Platinum is bead set with graduated trans...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 2.00 carat diamond tiger's eye 18k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking vintage cocktail ring is a bold and distinctive design from the 1970’s, bringing together rich texture, warm gold, and brilliant diamond sparkle. Featuring 57 round bri...
Diamond, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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 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 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 Alveare Gold and Diamond Ring Band
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
Kutchinsky tiger's eye and diamond ring, English, 1972.
By Kutchinsky
Located in London, GB
Kutchinsky tiger's eye and diamond ring. Centrally set with an oval shape cabochon natural tiger's eye in an open back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 2.00 carats, enci...
Diamond, Tiger's Eye, 18k 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.
