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.
Sixties Emerald Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, American. The 3.0 carat emerald in this fabulous sixties ring has gorgeous color and lively passage of light. Its postmodern design is perfect for today's underst...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
54.14 Carat Natural Green Beryl-Set Gold Ring GIA
By Lawrence Jeffrey
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 2020, 18k, by Lawrence Jeffrey, American. Impeccably designed to feature its delicately hued 54.14 carat Green Beryl, this ring has a spectacular look! Meticulously fashioned, Retro fifties-style inspired the elegantly heavy setting. It is very comfortable on and the massive stone is big enough to be a sensation yet just the right size to be wearable. Excellent condition. Personal Impressions: "Color, size, shape and verve… rings with huge gemstones...
Beryl, Green Beryl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Stunning 22.25ct Blue-Green Tourmaline Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, American. This is the ultimate colored gemstone ring. It's look is effortless American glamor. The 22.25 carat delicately hued blue-green tourmaline (referred to as...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Modernist Colombian Emerald Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, Switzerland. Swiss Modern sixties style, this stunning one-of-a-kind ring has it all; massive size, hand-made detail, masterful use of texture, and an extraordinar...
Emerald, 18k Gold
Paul Binder Hyper-Modern Sixties Cocktail Ring
By Paul Binder
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, by Paul Binder, Zurich, Switzerland. This sleek one-of-a-kind modernist jewel is an architectural delight. Combining smooth curves...
White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Emerald-set Heavy Gold Band
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1980s, 18k. This bold eighties ring looks and feels heavy. Its postmodern design is perfect for today's understated off-hand chic. Meticulously made in 18k yellow gold, its ....
Emerald, 18k Gold
BULGARI Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold, Colombian Emerald and Diamond Trombino Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A commanding expression of BULGARI’s bold Roman aesthetic, this exceptional Trombino ring is centered by a vivid Colombian emerald weighing approximately 8.40 carats. Cut in a classi...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
BULGARI 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Double Emerald Bypass Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A bold and unmistakably sculptural creation from BULGARI, this striking bypass ring embodies the house’s distinctive dialogue between strength and sensuality. Crafted in a harmonious...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
BULGARI 18K Yellow Gold Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This design draws inspiration from the feats of ancient Roman architecture: the enduring lines of the Appian Way, the harmonious arches of the Roman Forum, and the majestic dome of t...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI 18K Yellow Gold Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A powerful and unmistakably Italian creation from BULGARI, this striking ring embodies the bold color, architectural presence, and sculptural confidence that defined the maison’s hig...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 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
Bulgari Twin Ring 5.79ct Emerald and 7.25ct Diamond 18k Gold and Platinum
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This chic BULGARI cocktail ring features an exceptional 5.79 carat AGL certified Colombian emerald and a GIA certified 7.25 carat square emerlad...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
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.
