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 18K White Gold Oval and Round Diamond Bypass Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
An exquisite Bulgari 18K white gold bypass ring featuring a graceful combination of oval and round brilliant cut diamonds totaling 0.86 carats. The centerpiece is a dazzling oval dia...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Platinum Diamond Icone Engagement Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Chicago, IL
Van Cleef & Arpels Platinum Diamond Icone Engagement Ring This exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Icone engagement ring is crafted in platinum and features a stunning center diamond weigh...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co. Round Brilliant Diamond Platinum Three-Stone Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Tiffany & Co. 1.50 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Platinum Three-Stone Ring This exceptional Tiffany & Co. ring features a Tiffany Certified natural round brilliant diamond weighing ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Tiffany & Co. Platinum 3.66 Carat Round Diamond Double Halo Engagement Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant and timeless engagement ring by Tiffany & Co., crafted in platinum and centered with a round brilliant-cut diamond weighing 2.88 carats, graded I color, VS2 clarity. The...
Diamond, Platinum
Verragio 2.32 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
By Verragio
Located in Chicago, IL
Verragio 2.32 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Halo Engagement Ring 14K White & Rose Gold – GIA Certified An elegant and romantic engagement ring by Verragio, crafted in 14K white and ...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Harry Winston Oval Diamond Engagement Ring & Pave Wedding Band Set
By Harry Winston
Located in Chicago, IL
Harry Winston Oval Diamond Engagement Ring & Pave Wedding Band Set This exquisite Harry Winston bridal set showcases a total of 1.53 carats of na...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Bvlgari “Dedicata a Venezia” Platinum Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
Bvlgari “Dedicata a Venezia” Platinum Diamond Ring GIA Certified 2.08ct Center Diamond Platinum Size 7.5 Indulge in timeless elegance with this exceptional Bvlgari Dedicata a Ve...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bulgari 1.36 CTW Oval Cut Diamond Platinum Contemporary Engagement Ring GIA
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval cut diamond weighing 1.10 carats - F color with VVS2 clarity Prong set in basket and flanked by cathedral style shoulders Bare set with tapered baguette cut diamond...
Diamond, Platinum
Bulgari 1.71 CTW Round Brilliant Diamond Platinum Swirling Engagement Ring GIA
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a round brilliant cut diamond weighing 1.51 carats - G color with VVS2 clarity Prong set in a round form head with grooved swirling detail and split shoulders Bead set with...
Diamond, Platinum
BVLGARI Venezia Platinum Solitaire Ring, 1.15ct Diamond, G-VS2 - US 3.75
By Bulgari
Located in Tokyo, JP
■Item Number: 24350917 ■Brand: BVLGARI ■Collection / Model: Dedicata a Venezia Solitaire Ring ■Model / Reference No.: – ■Material: Platinum (Pt950) ■Main Stone: 1 Brilliant-Cut Diamo...
Diamond, Platinum
Bvlgari B.zero1 Diamond Solitaire 18k White Gold Ring w/Cert Size US 6 EU 52
By Bulgari
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Bvlgari Collection/Style: B.zero1 Diamond Solitaire Ring Material: 18k white gold Hallmarks: Bvlgari 750 Made in Italy 52 6127970495 Gemstones: Natural solitaire diamond a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari B.Zero1 Diamond Engagement Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Tampa, FL
Bulgari B.Zero1 Diamond Engagement Ring
Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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.
