Bulgari Jewellery - Second Hand Luxury Jewellery

Bulgari – The Audacity of Italian High Jewelry

It was against the backdrop of Rome, the Eternal City, that the identity of a house synonymous with bold elegance and vibrant color was forged. Since 1884, Bulgari has embodied the excellence of Italian high jewelry, with a style instantly recognizable for its architectural volumes and exceptional gemstones. Acquiring a Bulgari jewel—vintage or contemporary—means owning a fragment of that legendary dolce vita.

Bulgari: A Roman House with a Global Destiny

The story of Bulgari begins far from Rome, in Greece. Sotirios Voulgaris, a talented silversmith, left his homeland in 1877 for Italy. He settled permanently in Rome in 1881 and, three years later, opened his first shop on Via Sistina. The name was Italianized to Bulgari, and the boutique bore the sign “Old Curiosity Shop”—a nod to the Anglo-Saxon clientele the craftsman sought to attract.

From 1910 onward, Sotirios Bulgari made a decisive choice that would shape the house’s future: he devoted himself exclusively to jewelry. Upon his death in 1934, his sons Costantino and Giorgio took over the family business. The two brothers revitalized the company, expanded the boutique after the war, and laid the foundations of the bold aesthetic that would become the house’s signature.

The 1970s marked Bulgari’s international expansion. Paris, Geneva, Monte Carlo, followed by a showroom at the Pierre Hotel in New York—the Roman house conquered the world. In 1995, its success led Bulgari to be listed on the Italian stock exchange. In 2011, LVMH acquired the brand from the founding family, and four years later Bulgari was ranked the world’s third-largest jeweler, after Cartier and Tiffany.

The Bulgari Aesthetic Signature: Color, Volume, and Ancient Heritage

What immediately sets Bulgari jewelry apart is its chromatic boldness, unique to the Roman house. Where others favor the restraint of the solitaire diamond, Bulgari celebrates colored gemstones: Colombian emeralds, Burmese rubies, Ceylon sapphires, as well as turquoise, tourmaline, and amethyst, forming a palette evocative of Mediterranean light.

Roman architecture permeates every creation. The lines of Bulgari jewelry recall ancient columns, the mosaics of thermal baths, and the curves of amphitheaters. This formal vocabulary, unique in the world of high jewelry, gives the house’s pieces a sculptural presence that is immediately recognizable.

The work of gold—yellow, rose, or white—also plays a central role in this identity. Polished surfaces contrast with pavé settings; snow settings alternate with bezel settings, creating plays of light that enhance the exceptional gemstones selected by the house’s artisans.

The Iconic Bulgari Collections

Serpenti is undoubtedly the house’s most iconic collection. The serpent, a symbol of rebirth and seduction, has coiled around wrists, fingers, and necks since the 1940s. Elizabeth Taylor, a devoted admirer of the house, frequently wore Serpenti pieces. Bulgari Serpenti jewels in gold and diamonds rank among the most sought-after creations by collectors.

B.zero1 represents Bulgari’s contemporary spirit. Inspired by the Colosseum, this collection translates its architectural lines into yellow, rose, and white gold. B.zero1 rings, recognizable by their spiraling bands of precious metal, have become classics of modern jewelry.

Divas’ Dream pays tribute to the mosaics of the Baths of Caracalla. This fan-shaped motif, of timeless elegance, adorns rings, necklaces, and earrings in compositions where mother-of-pearl and diamonds echo one another.

Monete reflects Bulgari’s attachment to ancient heritage. This collection incorporates authentic Greek and Roman coins into contemporary jewelry creations, creating a dialogue between eras.

Vintage Bulgari Jewelry: Recognizing Authenticity

On the secondary market, authentic vintage Bulgari jewelry is attracting growing interest. Pieces from the 1960s and 1970s, in particular, are highly sought after by collectors for their bold design and rarity.

How can one recognize a signed Bulgari jewel? Several elements help authenticate a piece. The BVLGARI signature (with its distinctive Latin V), precisely engraved, is the first indicator. Metal hallmarks and piece numbering provide additional guarantees. Finally, the quality of craftsmanship—refined settings and flawless finishes—reflects the Roman savoir-faire passed down through generations.

The expertise of a certified gemologist remains essential to confirm the authenticity of the gemstones and to establish the value of Bulgari jewelry on the secondary market.

Buying a Bulgari Jewel Online: Expertise and Certification

Acquiring a pre-owned Bulgari jewel requires expert guidance. Our selection of signed Bulgari jewelry undergoes rigorous authentication: verification of the signature, inspection of hallmarks, and gemological analysis of the stones. Each piece is carefully restored in our Parisian workshop and sold with a certificate of authenticity.

Diamond-pavé Serpenti rings, three-gold B.zero1 bracelets, Divas’ Dream necklaces in mother-of-pearl and precious stones—our collection invites you to discover often unique pieces, bearing witness to the artisanal excellence of the Roman house.

The heritage value of Bulgari jewelry continues to grow. Vintage pieces, particularly those from the high jewelry creations of the 1960s–70s, are increasingly sought-after investments among the most discerning collectors.

Do you own a jewel you believe to be a Bulgari creation? Schedule a free appraisal. Our certified gemologist will examine your piece and provide a detailed estimate of its value on the current market.