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 Tubogas Two-Row Hoop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
These earrings are a testament to the brand’s signature engineering and aesthetic innovation. The Tubogas technique, a hallmark of Bulgari since the 1940s, involves wrapping interloc...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Bvlgari B.Zero1 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hoop Stud Earrings with Box
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Bvlgari B.Zero1 18k Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings. A pair of 18k yellow gold hoop earrings from the Bvlgari B.zero1 collection. The earrings measure approximately 17.2x17....
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
W 0.99 in L 1.23 in
Bulgari 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Hoop Earrings, Italy, Circa 1989
By Bulgari
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Vintage BVLGARI 18 karat gold hoop earrings made 1989. You know a pair of hoops are well made when they are purposely adjusted for left/r...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
W 0.48 in L 0.79 in
A Pair of BULGARI Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold Earclips
By Bulgari
Located in Rugby, England
Indulge in luxury with these stunning Bulgari Tubogas link hoop clip-on earrings, meticulously crafted from radiant 18K yellow gold. The elegant clip-on design ensures easy and secur...
Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Ribbed Hoop Earrings, 1960s, 1.75 Inches
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This timeless pair of 14K yellow gold hoop earrings from the 1960s combines elegance with a bold design. Featuring a ribbed, high-polish finish, these hoops radiate a refined yet str...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
W 0.63 in L 0.69 in
Bulgari 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Parentesi J-Hoop Ear-Clip Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as fluted j-hoop forms featuring geometric motif Comprised of fitted 'Parentesi' forms With high polish finish Completed by hinged omega backs Stamped with Italian assay mar...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
W 0.38 in Dm 0.63 in
Bvlgari Bulgari Gold Earrings 18k Spiga Collection Clip-On
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A pair of Bulgari Spiga huggie earrings, crafted in 18k gold and feature the iconic chevron pattern that defines the Spiga collection. The woven design is inspired by wheat stalks, g...
Gold, 18k Gold
BVLGARI (Bulgari) yellow and white gold earrings 18K, circa 1990, Tubogas style
By Bulgari
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Bvlgari vintage earrings in yellow and white gold (18k). These Bvlgari earrings are crafted with yellow and white gold (18 Karat). Their design features alternating broad, rounded ...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold & Steel Tubogas Pyramid Hoop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A pair of Bvlgari Tubogas earrings crafted in stainless steel with 18k yellow gold accents. The Tubogas construction, a signature Bvlgari technique, uses interlocking steel links tha...
Gold, 18k Gold, Steel
Vintage Bulgari Bvlgari Roma Tear Drop Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Vintage Tear Drop Hoop Earrings by Bulgari. These vintage Bulgari Roma huggie earrings are crafted in luxurious 18k yellow gold, featuring the iconic Double X crossover de...
Yellow Gold
Bulgari Monete Ancient Roman Coin Braided Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A classic Bulgari Monete piece featuring an ancient bronze Roman coin inscribed ‘Rome Constantinus I Aug. A.D. 307-337’ suspended from a two-color 18 karat gold braided necklace. Int...
18k 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.
