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 Serpenti ring
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
BVLGARI Serpenti ring in 18k yellow gold and mother-of-pearl. Condition: excellent condition. Size: S (48-49-50). Width of motif: 14 mm. Weight: 10.31 g. Bvlgari signature and hallma...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Diva's Dream Ring, 18K Rose Gold, 1.10ct Diamonds, Circa 2015
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Stunning BVLGARI Diva's Dream ring in 18K rose gold and diamonds, featuring an elegant alternation of triangular mother-of-pearl motifs, delicately accented with brilliant-cut diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
BULGARI - B.zero1 ring in rose gold and diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Bvlgari B.Zero1 large model ring in 18k rose gold and diamonds. This is the large model (retail price €26,000) and not the new, smaller model. Condition: as new. Size : 53 (non modif...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
BULGARI Vintage 18k Gold Cocktail Ring with Pink Tourmaline, 1990
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Vintage BVLGARI ring in 18k yellow and white gold, set with four colored gemstones. A rare model from the 1990s. Condition: excellent. Size: 52. Width: 2 cm. Stones: pink tourmaline,...
Citrine, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Parentesi vintage bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Vintage BVLGARI Parentesi bracelet in 18k yellow gold and steel. Period: 1980s. Condition: excellent condition (rarely worn, has just been lightly polished). Size: medium. Width of y...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
CARTIER Panthère Ring, 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond, 0.75ct, France, 1980s
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
CARTIER Panthère ring in 18k yellow gold, Silverium, and diamond. Period: late 1980s. Condition: good condition. Size: 51. Width: 1.1 cm. Diamond weight: 0.75 carats. Total weight: 1...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Snake Mother of Pearl & Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Bulgari Serpenti Viper ring crafted in luxurious 18K gold and accented with luminous mother-of-pearl and brilliant natural diamonds. Inspired by the iconic serpent motif that has bec...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper 18K Gold Diamond & White Mother of Pearl Ring #5086
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
With its combination of polished gold, sparkling pav diamonds, and creamy mother-of-pearl, the Serpenti Viper ring commands attention through subtle complexity. Each segment aligns i...
Diamond
Bulgari Serpenti White Mother of Pearl 18K Yellow Gold Chunky Bangle Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An iconic Serpenti bangle bracelet by Bulgari, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K yellow gold. This bold, chunky design features the Maison’s signature serpent motif adorn...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Serpenti White Mother of Pearl 18K Yellow Gold Chunky Bangle Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An iconic Serpenti bangle bracelet by Bulgari, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K yellow gold. This bold, chunky design features the Maison’s signature serpent motif adorn...
Rubelite, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k 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
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
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.
