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 Sweet Alahambra Diamond Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
These exquisite diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels are a stunning example of French craftsmanship. They feature brilliant-cut diamonds that are rated E for color and VVS1 for...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18K Gold sapphire and diamond Vintage Earrings.
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
These exquisite Bvlgari earrings showcase a stunning combination of sapphires and diamonds. The focal point is a remarkable baguette-cut blue sapphire, approximately 8.59 carats, pai...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Heart Cupid Arrow 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Earrings W/Pearl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
These exquisite earrings, crafted from 18k gold by Tiffany & Co. in 1994, are a perfect blend of elegance and sophistication. The heart-shaped design gives them a romantic appeal, en...
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18K Yellow Gold & diamond earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
These 18k gold earrings feature diamond pavé set in a quatrefoil design. Crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels in France during the 21st century, they measure approximately 1.4 cm in length ...
18k Gold
Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Spiga Hoop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Vintage Bvlgari Spiga hoop earrings crafted in 18k yellow gold. They showcase the woven Spiga pattern inspired by ancient Roman wheat, highlighting Italian craftsmanship, a classic s...
18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Multi-Gemstone Drop Earrings W/Blue Topaz, Citrine, and Diamond
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Masterfully crafted from rich 18k yellow gold, these spectacular multi-tiered statement drop earrings showcase a bold, geometric interplay of vibrant color and brilliant light. The d...
18k Gold
Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold 10.07ct Diamond Clip-On Earrings Bulgari
By Bulgari
Located in Broomall, PA
These Bvlgari earrings are made to make a statement. Each is built from a series of stacked, scalloped heart-shaped tiers, densely pavé-set with round brilliant Diamonds across every...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Italian Modern 18K Gold 3 Carat Diamond Pavé Heart Statement Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
A glamorous and beautifully constructed pair of Italian Modern diamond earrings, crafted in richly polished 18 karat yellow gold with an unmistakably luxurious late 20th-century sens...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Bulgari Diamond Earrings 18K Yellow Gold Backs~1.4 ctw Circa 1980
By Bulgari
Located in Fairfield, CT
Vintage Bulgari Diamond Earrings 18K Yellow Gold Backs~1.4 ctw Circa 1980 These earrings by Bvlgari are made in platinum and 18k yellow gold, featuring a sculptural design with a fl...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Pair of 18 Carat Yellow Gold and Diamond Boucheron Heart Ear Clips
By Boucheron
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A pair of 18-carat yellow gold ear clips with a graceful heart, below which two bands run down and back, all fully set with brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.92 carats total). Signed...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Happy Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Heart Drop Earrings
By Chopard
Located in New York, NY
Embodying the playful elegance and Swiss craftsmanship that defines the maison, these authentic Chopard "Happy Diamonds" heart drop earrings are a timeless expression of luxury. Craf...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Happy Diamonds Heart Earrings with Floating Diamond 18K Yellow Gold
By Chopard
Located in Aventura, FL
Discover the timeless elegance of Chopard Happy Diamonds Heart Earrings, crafted in luxurious 18K yellow gold. Featuring Chopard's iconic Happy Diamonds aesthetic, these sophisticate...
Diamond, 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.
