Timeless Elegance of Rare and Collectible Bvlgari Earrings
Take a closer look at the Bvlgari earrings every collector needs.
Brief History of Bvlgari
Bvlgari was founded by Greek silversmith Sotirio Boulgaris (later Italianised to Bvlgari) in 1884. Initially Bvlgari sold silverwork, antiques, curiosities and jewelry in Rome. Bvlgari gained prominence in the early 20th century, with the opening of its flagship store on Via dei Condotti in Rome in 1905. By the 1920s, Bvlgari had shifted from silverwork to jewelry, drawing influences from French styles, especially Art Deco. By the 1940s and 1950s Bvlgari started developing its own unique identity with the use of bold designs, colored gem stones and drawing inspiration from Roman and Greek motifs. Bvlgari became known for mixing large, cabochon-cut colored stones like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies with diamonds.
The 1960s were pivotal for Bvlgari as the brand became a favorite of Hollywood stars and global royalty. Famous figures like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren were often seen wearing Bvlgari pieces, catapulting the brand to international fame. In 2011, LVMH acquired Bvlgari for about 4.3 billion Euro and remains one of the most popular luxury brands today due to its link with Italian glamour and heritage of innovation and craftsmanship.
Rare & Collectible Bvlgari Earrings
Whether you are a seasoned collector or new admirer of Bvlgari earrings, we have highlighted four rare and collectible Bvlgari earring styles. While some of these specific Bvlgari earrings may be hard to source, these provide a foundation for Bvlgari rearings that are rare and collectible. We chose these Bvlgari earrings since they are timeless in their design, represent the most iconic motifs or reflect Bvlgari's heritage of quality and luxury. While Bvlgari Serpenti is always collectible, read on to learn about four additional styles to consider if you are looking to add rare and collectible Bvlgari earrings to your collection.
Bvlgari Earrings Gemstone
Bvlgari launched the Naturalia collection in 1991 as part of a broader celebration of nature featuring designs inspired plants, animals and the ocean. The Bvlari Naturalia collection included the Mamma Pesce collection that featured whimsical fish motifs in colorful gemstones and diamonds. This collection also included Butterfly motifs and Bvlgari Serpenti pieces that often included the use of Tubogas coils. Bvlgari earrings from this collection are rare and only available on the secondary market since this collection was discontinued in the late 1990s. The Naturalia collection emphasized Bvlgari’s mastery in blending nature’s beauty with luxurious craftsmanship and fine diamonds and gemstones. Bvlgari gemstone earrings range in price from $10,000 to over $50,000 depending on the design, gemstones, diamonds, rarity and provenance.
Bvlgari Earrings Vintage
Bvlgari is also known for use of non-traditional materials its jewelry designs that gained prominence in the 1970s. Vintage Bvlgari earrings that feature ceramic, enamel, turquoise or other non-traditional materials have had a resurgence in popularity with younger collectors. The most popular vintage Bvlgari earrings feature colorful contrasting materials and gemstones in bold designs. Geometric and chandelier earrings are also popular with collectors. Vintage Bvlgari earrings generally start at $10,000 in the secondary market but can easily exceed $50,000 depending on the design, gem stones and rarity. Prices for very rare vintage Bvlgari earrings at auction can be hard to predict due to known scarcity of supply but less clear demand at any given sale.
Bvlgari Earrings Bold Geometric Designs
Bold gold earrings dominated 1980s Bvlgari earring designs. One of Bvlgari’s most famous collections, Parentesi, was introduced in this decade. Its design was inspired by Roman pavements and featured modular, interlocking shapes, highlighting Bvlgari’s emphasis on versatility and architecture. Sotheby's sold a pair of Bvlgari earrings in a fringe design featuring 18 carats of diamonds for almost $100,000 in 2023. The fringe design has clear Ancient Roman influence which is a core motif popular with collectors. Bvlgari Parentesi earrings often start around $5,000 but Bvlgari earrings in bold geometric designs can exceed $100,000 with the addition of large diamonds and gem stones.
Bvlgari Earrings High Jewelry
Bvlgari has been creating High Jewelry collections since the 1950s. Bvlgari High Jewelry earrings are celebrated for their refined craftsmanship, use of exceptional diamonds and gemstones and a legacy rooted in Rome's rich artistic Italian history. Sotheby's has sold a number of rare and exceptional Bvlgari High Jewelry earrings including a a pair featuring fancy intense yellow diamond and emerald earrings from 1979 that sold for over $650,000 in 2024. These Bvlgari earrings were formerly in the Collection of Baroness di Portanova who was known for her extensive jewelry collection focused on bold, glamorous, colourful 1970s and 80s designs. Many Bvlgari High Jewelry earrings also combine bold colored gemstones in faceted and cabochon cuts with diamonds to create the ultimate statement piece. Bvlgari High Jewelry earring are the ultimate addition to any collection since these pieces are often custom designs that epitomize Bvlgari's iconic Italian craftsmanship. Bvlgari High Jewelry earrings generally start at around $100,000.
Buying and Selling Bvlgari Earrings At Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has impressive rare and collectible Bvlgari earrings available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Bvlgari earrings available for immediate purchase. If you would like to view a pair of Bvlgari earrings or other Bvlgari jewelry piece, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Bvlgari jewelry from its global supplier network. Bvlgari earrings generally start at around $5,000 for simple gold designs but can easily exceed $100,000 for High Jewelry designs featuring exceptional diamonds and gem stones.
- Explore upcoming jewelry at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Speak to a Jewelry Specialist about selling Bvlgari earrings.
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