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.
BVLGARI Yellow Gold 3 Row 'SPIGA' Ring Band
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The BVLGARI Yellow Gold 3 Row 'SPIGA' Ring Band is a flexible and stylish piece that wraps your finger in pure luxury! Picture three rows of gleaming yellow gold woven together in a ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 90's Wide Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier wide band ring in 18k yellow gold, made in France. Clean, bold design with a smooth, polished finish that gives it a strong presence whi...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Gold Onyx Chrysoprase and Diamond Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite vintage ring by Van Cleef & Arpels is a stunning example of the brand's timeless elegance and artistry from the 1980s. Crafted in luxurious 18K yellow gold, it feature...
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Yellow Gold and Diamond 'Mahango Panthère' Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
The Cartier Gold and Diamond 'Mahango Panthère' Ring is an exquisite masterpiece of jewelry craftsmanship. This luxurious piece features a wide band m...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Diamond and Yellow Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This columnar design diamond ring features 3.60 carats of F-H, VVS-VS round diamonds. Mounting stamped 750 for 18K Yellow gold. Stamped European size 53. Approximately 1/2 inch width...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Onyx Vintage Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A striking vintage design in 18k yellow gold, featuring polished onyx plaques set against approximately 39 round brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling an estimated 2.25–2.50 carats. The i...
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Gold & Steel Optical Mother of Pearl Spinning Ring Size 51
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k yellow gold and stainless steel ring by Bvlgari from the Optical Illusion collection. The rotating disc measures 2.4cm in width and spins in both a clockwise and anti clockwis...
Gold, Steel
Bvlgari 18k Gold and Mother of Pearl Spinning Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari 18k Gold and Mother of Pearl Spinning Ring Details: Composed of a mother-of-pearl tablet with a gold overlay, designed to spin. Signed Bvlgari 18k Yellow gold and steel Size...
Pearl, 18k Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Ring in 18k Gold and Mother-of-Pearl, Italy, 2010
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
BVLGARI Serpenti animal 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...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Vintage Bvlgari Passo Doppio 9mm White Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Ring EU49
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Bvlgari Passo Doppio White Cultured Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Ring. A stunning vintage Bvlgari ring from the Passo Doppio range featuring an excellent quality 9mm white cul...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
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.
