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.
Vintage Bulgari Parentesi Green Quartz and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in London, England
A striking Bulgari Parentesi green quartz and diamond cocktail ring set in 18k rose gold.
The ring is predominantly set with a beautiful rose-cut mint coloured green quartz...
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 4.80ct Zambian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, England
A stunning vintage three-stone emerald and diamond ring set in platinum and 18k yellow gold. This ring features a vibrant oval-cut emerald of appealing Zambian origin, with 4.80 ca...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Contemporary Emerald and Pear Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring in 18k Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful emerald and pear cut diamond trilogy ring set in 18k yellow and white gold. This lovely three stone ring is centrally set wit...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary 1.86ct Oval Emerald and Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in London, England
A beautiful contemporary emerald and diamond three-stone ring crafted in platinum and 18k yellow gold.
The ring is composed of a central oval-cut emerald, flanked by a rou...
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage Cartier Panthère Tsavorite and Onyx Geometric Ring, Size 67
By Cartier
Located in London, England
A striking vintage Cartier Panthère ring set in 18k yellow gold.
The ring is designed as a bold geometric interpretation of the iconic panther head, featuring an openwork...
Onyx, Tsavorite, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori Diamond Set Ring in White Gold
By Bulgari
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori diamond, emerald and sapphire ring set in 18k white gold.
The ring is composed of a coiled serpent design, pavé-set with spa...
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Tubogas Peridot Cabochon Ring in 18k Yellow Gold, Vintage
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
A vintage ring featuring a cabochon peridot, embodying Roman elegance and craftsmanship. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, the ring showcases a smooth, high-domed peridot cabochon, glowin...
Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Doppio Baccellato Tourmaline Peridot 18k Yellow Gold Ring w/Paper
By Bulgari
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Bvlgari Collection: Doppio Baccellato Era: Circa 1980s Material: 18k Yellow Gold Gemstones: Pink tourmaline and peridot Pink Tourmaline: Oval cut, approximately 1.30 carats Ri...
Peridot, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fred Leighton Oval Peridot and Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Fred Leighton
Located in New York, NY
A fine oval peridot weighing 31.14 carats is set in a bezel of 18 karat yellow gold flanked with a pair of shield shape diamonds totaling approximately 0....
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Peridot Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Fairfield, CT
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Peridot Ring 18K Yellow Gold This Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas ring is made in 18K yellow gold and features the iconic coiled silhouette that has become one of...
Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Peridot and Diamond Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
Circa 1970s this beautiful wide band ring features an oval shaped luscious green peridot weighing 3.11 carats. The bezel set is accented by small colorless diamond weighing approxima...
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Bvlgari Allegra Tourmaline Peridot and Citrine 18k Yellow Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Bvlgari Allegra Tourmaline, Peridot, Citrine & Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Rare Bvlgari ring featuring a collection of stunning natural gemstones. This ring has a centre o...
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 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.
