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.
Antique 10K Yellow Gold 2 Ct Jade Carved Intaglio Ring
Located in New York, NY
A distinctive and elegant ring featuring a 2 carat jade stone with an intaglio carving. The ring showcases ornate detailing on the band, crafted in 10k yellow gold, enhancing the jad...
Jade, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Colombian emerald ring, circa 1980.
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Bulgari Colombian emerald ring, circa 1980. Set with an oval cabochon natural Colombian emerald with minor oil in an open back rubover setting with a weight of 6.59 carats, to an imp...
Emerald, 18k Gold
Bulgari 1990's Peridot 18 Karat Two-Tone Yellow White Gold Vintage Cabochon Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval-shaped peridot cabochon measuring 11.0 x 9.0 mm - transparent medium yellowish green in color Set in a yellow gold bezel fitted on hinged at 'U' shaped white gold s...
Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Nephrite Jade Ring of 14k Gold, Circa 1960
Located in Lewisburg, PA
An elegant vintage ring by Strellman's Dramatic Jewelry Company, centered with a nephrite jade cabochon set within an elegant floral 14 karat gold mounting. The jade displays a seren...
Jade, 14k Gold
Vintage Yellow Gold 3.15ct Green Jade Signet Style Ring
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vintage signet style ring is crafted in rich 12k yellow gold and showcases a beautifully elongated jade cabochon with soft translucent white tones and vivid natural gree...
Jade, Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-Century Jade Cabochon Signet Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This mid-century signet ring features a large light green oval jade cabochon measuring approximately 17 x 13mm in a smooth bezel setting with finally engraved foliate shoulders. Set ...
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Yellow Gold Leaf Motif with Carved Green Jade Ring
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite ring features a vibrant green jade stone, intricately carved and set in a smooth 12k gold bezel. The band showcases subtle leaf motif engravings, adding a touch of sop...
Jade, Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Carved Intaglio Ring 20K Roman God Motif Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Fairfield, CT
Bulgari Carved Intaglio Ring 20K Roman God Motif Yellow Gold This Bulgari ring centers on an oval carved hardstone intaglio depicting a Roman god in profile, rendered with a crested...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Arts & Crafts Fine Chinese Apple Green Jade 14K Yellow Gold Saddle Ring
Located in New York, NY
Very fine antique Chinese Apple Green Jade 14K yellow gold Arts & Crafts period saddle ring Early 20th Century Proveneance: Private East Coast collection, descendants of King George ...
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960's Nephrite Jade 14 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage U.S. Navy Signet Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval-shaped nephrite jade tablet measuring 11.0 x 9.0 mm Translucent mossy green with subtle mottling and bezel set Accented by a raised hidden halo of gold stars fully ...
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Doppio Ring with Tourmaline and Peridot, c. 1980
By Bulgari
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
A signature design by Bulgari, created in Rome during the 1980s, this ring belongs to the iconic Doppio collection and exemplifies the house’s bold yet sophisticated design language....
Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 'Forma Livre' Free Form Green Tourmaline Gold Cocktail Ring
By Haroldo Burle-Marx
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Sculptural cocktail ring with a free flowing green tourmaline attributed to Haroldo Burle Marx. Shank decorated with basket weave finish indicate that it is a fairly early piece. Bu...
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Swedish 1960s 1.75ct Emerald Ring in 18k White Gold by Gustaf Dahlgren
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Swedish 1960s 1.75ct emerald ring. The emerald has a nice deep lush green color. To each side are three 0.05ct brilliant cut diamonds. The ring is crafted in 18karat white gold. Ha...
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
3.3 ct Sugarloaf Emerald , Ruby and Diamond 18kt Gold Cocktail Ring.
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
The ring is strong and geometrical. Clear gold lines, complementing gemstone shapes. The sugarloaf emerald glowing on top. Calibrated tapered rubies, all framed by brilliant cut diam...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hemmerle 2.27ct Emerald and Sapphire Cocktail Ring, 18kt Gold, Germany
By Hemmerle
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Hemmerle Emerald and Sapphire Ring, ca 1980 Hard to find the right words that convey the color and beauty of this Hemmerle emerald ring. Some pieces are just meant to be seen live t...
Sapphire, Emerald, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18kt Yellow Gold Diamond Ring, France, Circa 1987
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
The 1980s had a particular confidence. Jewelry embraced volume without sacrificing elegance. Polished 18 karat yellow gold, its gadrooned contours punctuated by sixteen brilliant-cu...
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.
