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.
Diamond, Ruby, and Sapphire Gold Floral Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Diamond, Ruby, and Sapphire Gold Floral Bracelet Description: A vibrant expression of artistry and elegance, this exquisite bracelet is a dazzling composition of diamonds, rubies, a...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Boucheron Multigem and Diamond Braided Gold Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
Boucheron Multigem and Diamond Braided Gold Bracelet Description: Crafted in rich 18 karat yellow gold, this vintage Boucheron bracelet features a distinctive braided rope design in...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18...
Ruby and Diamond Lattice Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Ruby and Diamond Lattice Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold Description: This striking bracelet is composed of a richly woven lattice of round-cut rubies, each individually prong-set in 18...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Sapphire & Ruby Gold Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. Textured Gold Ruby & Sapphire Bracelet Description: A captivating Tiffany & Co. bracelet crafted in 18K yellow gold, this piece showcases interwoven textured links, ex...
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Ruby and Diamond Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Ruby and Diamond Gold Bangle Bracelet Description: A magnificent bangle bracelet, exquisitely crafted in 18K yellow gold, adorned with two captivating cabochon rubies weighing appro...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Tutti Frutti Bangle
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A masterpiece of design and craftsmanship, this Tutti Frutti Bangle by Cartier Paris, created in 1947, captures one of Cartier’s rarest and most celebrated motifs. Inspired by Jacque...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Multicolor Sapphire and Emerald Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari Multicolor Sapphire and Emerald Bracelet A beautiful floral motif bracelet by Bvlgari, set with multicolor sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds. This piece is also adjustable,...
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Estate Pasquale Bruni 18K Gold Multi Gemstone Flower Bracelet
By Pasquale Bruni
Located in Houston, TX
A modern Pasquale Bruni prong and bezel-set colorful multi-gemstone floral link bracelet, crafted in 18K yellow gold. The bracelet measures 7.00 inches in length and cannot be altere...
Amethyst, Citrine, Iolite, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Mid-Century gold and multi-gem trefoil bracelet
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century gold mesh and multi-gem bracelet featuring sapphire, ruby, and emerald trefoils, alternating with diamond trefoils, with raised borders, in 18k. Lotos, Germany. Atw sap...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Certified Natural Multi Color Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari Certified Natural Unheated Multi Color Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet A yellow gold bracelet composed of oval links set with multicolor sapphires, each framed by round cut di...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Bulgari 1970's Multi-Gem 18 Karat Gold Vintage Stacked Tri-Strand Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as three stacked knife edge bands of yellow gold with white gold segments Each centering bezel set oval-shaped gemstone cabochons arranged diagonally Comprised of peridot, t...
Amethyst, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern 1950's Multi-Gem 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Floral Foliate Link Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of hinged gold oval-shaped links each centering an oval cut gemstone Comprised of prong set amethyst, citrine, topaz, tourmalines, and garnet Transparent purple, orange, li...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Topaz, Tourmaline, 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.
