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BVLGARI Jewellery - The Roman High-Jewellers
It is in a classical turmoil of historical nostalgia that BVLGARI Jewellery brings out the best inside the Roman heritage through precious materials. The passion and the perseverance with which these artistic pieces of jewellery are produced define the intricate nature of the brand.
Founded by Sotirio Bulgari in 1884, BVLGARI started out as a jeweller in Epirus, Greece. Since its inception, BVLGARI has strived for balanced proportions, a vibrant palette, and a deep reverence for its Roman roots. Crafted into rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, the BVLGARI jewellery offers a wide variety of high-end jewellery.
Known for its skilled craftsmanship, BVLGARI attained international recognition by creating a diamond tiara for the wedding of Prince Umberto of Italy and Princess Marie-José of Belgium in 1930. For the next two decades, BVLGARI polished and equipped itself with timeless designs. By the early 1950s, BVLGARI entered what was also known as the “Dolce Vita years”.
The Taylor-BVLGARI Affair
Elizabeth Taylor, a British-American actress, known for her audacious roles in Hollywood movies during the 1950s, was also famous for her rare and extensive jewellery collection. While filming the famed ‘Cleopatra’ in 1962, Taylor often visited BVLGARI’s flagship boutique in Via Condotti.
While busy enchanting herself with BVLGARI, she also started a love affair with Welsh actor Richard Burton. Burton would give Taylor exquisite gifts from BVLGARI, such as a necklace in platinum with 16 step-cut, octagonal Colombian emeralds. Another example of the rare collection was a Tremblant brooch in platinum with emeralds and diamonds. This particular piece of jewellery is a fine example of BVLGARI’s expertise in gem settings as the Tremblant pieces, and the flowerheads are mounted on spring settings that allow them to flicker or disperse light in a symmetrical fashion.
Whereas, on her 40th birthday, Burton gifted Taylor a sautoir made of platinum with a detachable pendant made of 65 carats Burmese sapphire with BVLGARI’s signature gemstone cut called the cabochon. A gem finished in cabochon cut is polished as opposed to faceted.
In 2011, after the death of Elizabeth Taylor, this exquisite collection was acquired by BVLGARI in an auction organised by Christie’s, New York. The auction is the most valuable jewellery sale in history to this date.
The Art of High Jewellery
In the midst of superior craftsmanship and precious materials, BVLGARI has called upon its artistic acumen in its High Jewellery section. The art of crafting rare jewellery is mostly inspired by Roman architecture and flawlessly integrates the aesthetics of domes and arches for which Rome is still famous.
Whereas, the vibrant choice of colours is directly inspired by the city’s ancient mosaics and gems inscribed on marble structures.
The B.zero1
From Julius Caesar to Pink Floyd, the captivating aura of a Roman amphitheatre has thrilled human minds for centuries. The BVLGARI B.zero1 collection takes its inspiration from the largest ancient Roman amphitheatre, the Colosseum. Designed by the Iraqi-British architect Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid, the collection has a rim at the top and the bottom with often a spiral in between. The rings inside the B.zero1 collection are one of the most popular luxury rings in the world.
The Serpenti
The association of BVLGARI and Serpenti is immutably fixated with each other. The ostentatious display of Greek and Roman mythology carved into bracelets, rings or necklaces, the Serpenti is a curvaceous ode to femininity. Released in the 1940s, the Serpenti gained popularity in the 1960s when Elizabeth Taylor wore it in the movie ‘Cleopatra’. Since then, it has become a mainstay of the BVLGARI household.
The BVLGARI BVLGARI
Inspired by the ancient coins circulated in Rome, the BVLGARI BVLGARI collection depicts the Roman roots with finesse. Bridging the gap between culture and innovation, the collection also features the BVLGARI Manglasutra necklace. The Manglasutra is an ode to the sacred ornament from the Indian culture. The Continuance of Rome
The Mangalsutra
Adding a touch of Indian culture to the brand, BVLGARI decided to launch a rendition of the sacred necklace ‘Mangalsutra’. The significance of a mangalsutra is to represent the marital status of a woman in Indian culture. A perfect blend of Roman influence coupled with Indian heritage, the Mangalsutra by BVLGARI exemplifies the diversity brand is known for.