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.
Rare Bvlgari Bulgari Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Purple Amethyst Ring with Box
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Bvlgari Deep Purple Amethyst Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Beautiful domed purple amethyst set in a fine 18k yellow gold tension set ring. In excellent condition, has been ...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.60ct Vivid Purple Amethyst Emerald Octagonal Cut 9k Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural Emerald Octagonal Cut Vivid Purple Amethyst Solitaire Ring. 1.60 Carat amethyst with a stunning vivid purple colour and excelle...
Amethyst, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow 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
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
1.41ct GIA Certified Bi Colour Sapphire Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Ring
By ITSIT
Located in Birmingham, GB
Unique GIA Certified Untreated Bi Colour Sapphire And Natural Diamond 18k Yellow Three Stone Ring. 1.41 Total carat. Stunning GIA Certified 1.33 Carat sapphire with a unique blue a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, ...
Rare Vintage Chaumet Fancy Cut Amethyst & Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Dome Band Ring
By Chaumet
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Chaumet Fancy Cut Amethyst & Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Dome Band Ring. Stunning yellow gold ring set with a unique arrangement of excellent quality natural amethysts and ...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Custom Cut Amethyst Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (1) Natural Genuine Amethyst- Custom Cut - Channel Inlaid Set - Purple Color - 14.7x10mm (approx.) Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 10.63 Grams Ring Size: 5.5 ( fi...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 10.80ct Emerald Cut Amethyst Ring in 10k Yellow Gold, 1970s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking vintage amethyst ring is a colorful 1970’s design, centered by an emerald cut amethyst weighing approximately 10.80 carats. The amethyst displays a rich purple hue with...
Amethyst, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Amethyst & Diamond Retro Ring - 14k Emerald Cut 14.33ctw Milgrain
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 8 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $40 or Down 1 1/2 sizes for $30 Era: Retro Date: 1940s - 1950s Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Ame...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Parentesi Amethyst and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Parentesi Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring Style: Bvlgari Parentesi 18k Yellow Gold Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring Brand: Bvlgari Material: 18k Yellow...
Diamond, White Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Amethyst, Emerald & Diamond ‘Carré’ Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This jewel from the 1970s demands attention and celebrates the extraordinary, embodying high drama with a touch of Roman flair. Carré Collection captivates with unapologetic glamour....
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
10 CT Emerald Cut Amethyst in 14k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Houston, TX
10 CT Emerald Cut Amethyst in 14k Yellow Gold Ring A striking ring showcasing a substantial emerald-cut natural amethyst weighing approximately 10.00 carats, set in warm 14K yellow ...
Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 14k 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.
