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.
Chaumet Colombian emerald solitaire ring, circa 1965.
By Chaumet
Located in London, GB
Chaumet Colombian emerald solitaire ring. Set centrally with an octagonal emerald cut natural Colombian emerald with minor oil in an o...
Emerald
Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, Circa 1970.
Located in London, GB
Colombian emerald and diamond flanked solitaire ring. Centrally set with an octagonal emerald-cut natural Colombian emerald with minor clarity enhancement in an open back half rubove...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage Emerald Solitaire Ring, circa 1980
Located in London, GB
Vintage emerald solitaire ring. Centrally set with an octagonal emerald-cut natural Zambian emerald with moderate clarity enhancement in an open...
Emerald, 18k Gold
Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Colombian emerald and diamond ring. Set to centre with an octagonal emerald-cut natural Colombian emerald with no/insignificant indications of clarity enhancement in an open back ru...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Ceylon sapphire and diamond trombino ring, circa 1970s.
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Bulgari Ceylon sapphire and diamond trombino ring. Set to centre horizontally with an octagonal emerald cut natural Ceylon sapphire in an open back rubover setting with a weight of 9...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Colombian Emerald and diamond target ring, circa 1915
Located in London, GB
Colombian Emerald and diamond target ring. Set with an round old cut natural Colombian Emerald with minor clarity enhancement, in an open back rubover setting with an approximate wei...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
BULGARI Colombian Emerald and Diamond Architectural Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A bold symphony of geometry and color, this striking 1985 Bvlgari creation embodies the house’s devotion to dramatic proportions and rich heritage. At its heart, a mesmerizing 11.54-...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Cabochon Certified Emerald and Diamond “Trombino” Ring, Rome, 1970s
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
Bvlgari Cabochon Emerald and Diamond “Trombino” Ring, Rome, 1970s A striking and highly collectible Bvlgari “Trombino” ring from the 1970s, m...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 3 Carat Cabochon Cut Colombian Emerald Bezel in 20K Yellow Gold Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage treasure featuring a stunning 3-carat Colombian emerald cabochon set in 20K yellow gold. The cabochon-cut emerald, exuding rich green hues, commands attention with its capt...
Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s 3.00 Carat Cabochon Emerald Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18K yellow gold with a Cabochon Emerald weighing approximately 3.00 carats surrounded by Round Brilliant and Baguette cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
BVLGARI Emerald & Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1980s, 18k, by Bvlgari, Italy. A stunning confection in green, yellow, and white, this 18k yellow gold ring features an array of superb stones. The main drama is a fine 2.50-ca...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19.09 Ct. Emerald Cabochon Ring with Diamonds, 18K
Located in New York, NY
A 19.09 ct. Emerald Cabochon Ring with Diamonds made in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. The Diamonds weigh appx 0.40 carats. The total weight of the ...
Diamond, Emerald, 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.
