Why Vintage Bulgari Jewelry is So Special
If you have ever wondered why Bulgari jewelry is so special, look no further. From Elizabeth Taylor to Elizabeth Taylor’s famous necklace to Monete, there is a Bulgari piece for you. You can find it among the most valuable collections. In this article, we will explore the history of Bulgari jewelry and how the company blends inspiration, innovation, and ideas to create beautiful, collectible pieces.
Nicola Bulgari
If you’re wondering why vintage Nicola Bulgari jewelry is so unique, you may want to take a closer look at the company’s history. Founded in 1884, the luxury jewelry brand is now owned by its great-grandson, Nicola Bulgari. The Bulgari family sold majority shares in the company to LVMH in 2011, but Nicola Bulgari remains the vice chairman. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated to be US$1.27 billion as of June 2015. Nicola Bulgari’s interest in antique cars stems from his early childhood in Rome, where Buicks were the preferred vehicle of heads of state and the Vatican.
In the early 1960s, Nicola Bulgari took over the Bulgari family business. He visited New York frequently and split his time between New York and Rome. As a result, his collection pays homage to his adopted home, Rome, and both of his Italian and Greek heritages. In fact, the Countess of Carimati, Nicola Bulgari, is about to accept an award at the Bvlgari store in New York.
The family has been making high-quality jewelry for 130 years, and their products have graced the necks of the world’s most famous celebrities. The mystique of Bulgari has spread to fine couture and hospitality. Nicola Bulgari learned the value of excellence at an early age and subsequently found her calling in the fine art of design. Her love for vintage American automobiles inspired her to design classic models and recreate the cars of the 1930s and 1940s for his company.
The Bulgari family started its business in Rome in 1884. Sotirio Bulgaris’ descendants celebrated the firm’s success by hosting an event in the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in the city of Rome. This event is a great recognition for the Bulgari family and the jewelry they produced. In the early twentieth century, Bulgari expanded to its current headquarters in Beverly Hills.
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor’s vintage Bulgari jewelry has a rich and glamorous past. The famous actress wore a platinum sapphire and diamond pendant given to her by Richard Burton on her 40th birthday in 1972. According to Burton, Elizabeth knew only one Italian word, and that was Bulgari! In fact, her Bulgari necklace featured a 65-carat Burmese cabochon sapphire and sold for $5.2 million at auction in 2011.
Elizabeth Taylor’s beloved Bulgari jewelry is now available for purchase. Designed in the 1960s, it is made of gold and turquoise, and features a stunning Egyptian motif. The actress received the ring when she was married to Richard Burton, and it is estimated that it would sell for between $2.5 million and $3 million at auction. This ring has also appeared in exhibitions since its original purchase, and has been seen on the neck of Jessica Chastain.
One of the most stunning pieces of Bulgari jewelry that Taylor owned was the sautoir. The piece was given to her by Burton on her fortieth birthday and featured a 65-carat Burmese sapphire surrounded by a pave of diamonds. In addition to the beautiful sapphire, the piece was adorned with a row of calibrated sapphires and diamonds.
While there is some controversy surrounding the purchase of the Bulgari diamond, the actress continued to wear the ring when she divorced Burton. Some speculate that Burton gave her the diamond as a push present when she left him for Burton. The diamond is also rumored to have cost more than $1 million. Despite the rumors, however, the ring remains with the actress, who chose to wear it when she announced her engagement to Sen. John Warner.
Serpenti
The Bulgari Serpenti is one of the most recognisable and enduring designs from their collections. This snake-like design was first introduced in the late 1940s and is easily distinguished by its hand-coiled precious metal bracelet. In fact, the Bulgari brothers were taking advantage of the modernity of post-World War II Rome when they came up with this design. Today, the Serpenti design can be seen in many different accessories, including bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
The Serpenti design was first introduced in the 1940s by Bulgari. This design, interpreted as a sinuous bracelet-watch, captured the imagination of jewellery connoisseurs and established Bulgari as a major player in the industry. The twisted twine used in creating these unique creations was known as tubogas. They were created in round, octagonal, and drop-shaped forms.
Many Serpenti pieces feature diamonds on the body and other precious stones. The designs of these pieces varied, but the Serpenti motif has long been associated with femininity and elegance. Elizabeth Taylor, a jewelry maven, was known to own several serpent pieces. She wore a Bulgari snake bracelet in 1962, and it quickly became popular. She was famous for wearing these snake-themed pieces, and her jewelry became associated with Cleopatra and the cult of beauty.
While the Serpenti was initially introduced by Bulgari in the 1940s, the Serpenti gained a new level of fame in the late 1960s and 1970s. Elizabeth Taylor, a loyal Bulgari customer, was seen wearing a Bulgari Serpenti watch in the film Cleopatra in 1962. Since then, the Serpenti was interpreted differently by Bulgari artists. Its coiled style echoed the fashion of the day. Today, Bulgari has introduced a sparkling take on the B.Zero1 ring.
Monete
The “Monete” collection by Bulgari was launched in the 1960s. These pieces combine ancient Roman coins and lustrous gold, paying tribute to earlier cultures. They also feature ancient coins as accents, as evidenced by the information engraved on the back of the mounting. Despite the ephemera and lore surrounding this collection, Bulgari is able to make stunning jewelry at a reasonable price.
Founded in 1881, Bulgari jewelry has made an impact on popular culture and contemporary fashion. Its vintage pieces regularly grace the red carpet. A beautiful 1960s Bulgari piece evokes the vibrant ethos of a world long gone and the transformational nature of that decade. These pieces are a true reflection of the rich history and legacy of Italian jewelry. A vintage Bulgari piece will stand the test of time.
When crafted from gold, Bulgari sourced elegant Roman coins from the 5th century B.C. to the 20th century A.D. and set them in yellow or pink gold. The coins used must be perfect and blemish-free to guarantee their authenticity. Bulgari never uses replica coins, and all of their pieces are thoroughly inspected for authenticity. Any unfinished Bulgari jewelry pieces are dismantled and recycled.
Serpenti: The snake motif has a long history in Bulgari jewelry. Throughout the ages, the serpent motif has inspired Bulgari to create jewelry inspired by nature. For instance, the Serpenti secret watch opened to reveal a hidden watch dial. Other famous Bulgari pieces include the Serpenti collection. Despite its simplicity, Serpenti pieces have long been a signature piece for Bulgari.
Tubogas
The iconic design of Serpenti timepieces and jewels made by Bulgari is instantly recognizable. The tubogas, a stretchable gold band with links connected without soldering, is a unique piece of jewelry. Designed by the Italian company in the 1940s, this piece of jewelry is one of the most expensive pieces of Italian jewelry. It took fifteen years to perfect the method, and it became a staple in Bulgari’s jewelry collections.
Inspired by nature, Bulgari’s designers have created some of the most beautiful floral jewelry in history. Known as “Fiorever,” the collection features floral designs rendered in precious metals and gemstones. Sometimes the jewelry features a colored gemstone at the center. The motifs on these designs were chosen by Bulgari for their symbolic meaning, paying homage to the city of Rome. The jewelry is so beautiful that it’s often worn by famous women.
Another unique feature of Bulgari’s modular designs is their ability to adapt to different sizes. Most of the pieces incorporate a flexible band. The flexibility of this design allows Bulgari to adapt to a wide range of tastes and needs. The Parentesi collection is one of the most famous examples. This design is also adaptable to different shapes and sizes, allowing Bulgari to create pieces that fit perfectly on each woman’s wrist.
During the early twentieth century, Giorgio Bulgari changed the direction of the Bulgari brand. His aim was to produce jewelry that would be in style with French fashions. The styles from this era include Edwardian, Deco, Retro, and Modern. Giorgio Bulgari’s son, Constantino, took over the company in 1961 and studied ancient silversmithing techniques. He also studied the history of silver production in Italy.