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 Divas' Dream Mother of Pearl Ruby Diamond 18K Rose Gold Pendant Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Fairfax, VA
This elegant Bulgari Divas Dream pendant necklace is crafted in 18K rose gold, featuring luminous mother of pearl accented with rubies and diamonds. The pendant showcases the collect...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Oval Ruby Pendant in 18K Gold with Diamonds on a New Chain
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Vintage oval cabochon ruby pendant set in 18K yellow gold with round diamonds. Chain is new (not vintage) and has a lobster lock.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari, 18K Gold Tourmaline Diamond Divas Dream Pendant Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent Bvlgari Divas’ Dream High Jewellery necklace in rose gold, centering a 4.95-carat cabochon rubellite beneath a 0.64-carat brilliant-cut diamond. Radiating fan motifs ar...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
GIA 4.97 ct UnHeated Cabochon Ruby Necklace Halo Diamonds in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
GIA Unheated Ruby Cabochon Pendant with Diamonds in 18k Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Pendant Necklace features a GIA certified Cushion Sugarloaf...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Amethyst Bead with Pink Tourmaline Pendant
By Bulgari
Located in Weston, MA
The 31 beautifully colored amethyst beads are separated with 18k gold spacers and culminate with a sculptural crescent-arc pendant featuring a bezel-set pink tourmaline cabochon. On ...
Amethyst, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage Bulgari Serpenti High Jewellery Collection Rubellite, Diamond and Emeral
By Bulgari
Located in London, England
A spectacular vintage Bulgari Serpenti High Jewellery necklace set in 18k rose gold, circa 2019.
The necklace features a highly articulated diamond-set chain leading to an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Oval Ruby & Diamond Sliding Pendant in 18K Yellow Gold on 14K Yellow Gold Chain
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
18K yellow gold halo pendant with one oval natural ruby weighing 2.69 carats. The pendant has 24 round natural diamonds and two tapered baguette natural diamonds with a total weight ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold 0.37 Ct Round Ruby, 0.23 Ct Diamond Double Halo Pendant Necklace
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
14K yellow gold pendant necklace with round diamonds weighing 0.23 carat total. In the center there is one round ruby weighing 0.37 carat. Necklace length is adjustable from 16 to 1...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
5.06ct Burma Ruby 1.40ct Diamond Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This is a charming 18k yellow gold pendant necklace. The pendant is centered with a lovely cabochon Burma ruby that weighs approximately 5.06ct. The ruby is accentuated by sparkling ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
14K & 18K Yellow Gold Oval Cabochon Natural Ruby & Diamond Necklace
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
14K and 18K yellow gold halo necklace with 14 round faceted natural diamonds weighing approximately 1.40 carats and one center oval cabochon natural ruby measuring 11x14mm. The ova...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k 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.
