A Guide to Bulgari Serpenti Jewelry

The Snake that Charmed Fashion

When a Serpenti strikes, jaws drop. Designed to amplify allure, the Bulgari Serpenti has charmed ultra-luxury lovers for decades. Wrapped around the neck, wrist, ears, or wedding finger, the serpent seduces wearers and onlookers alike. It begs the question: Was Eve tempted by a snake or a Serpenti? Let’s find out in this guide to Bulgari Serpenti jewelry.

From Rome to Red Carpet 

In 1884, Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari struck gold in Rome when he established what would become one of fashion’s most glamorous houses. Decades later, under the guidance of his grandsons Giorgio and Constantino, the Bulgari snake slithered onto the scene. 

The Serpenti got its first skin in 1948 as a jewelry-watch that was as fashionable as it was functional. Handcrafted using Bulgari’s Tubogas technique, the coiled design emulated the sinuous movement of a snake, making it both a luxury timepiece and a timeless piece of luxury. 

By 1962, the Serpenti had lured Elizabeth Taylor into its grip. On the set of Cleopatra, she wound a Serpenti watch around her wrist and unleashed it onto the world stage. The snake undulated for all to see and desire, claiming its spot in fashion history and famous wardrobes.

A Symbol of Seduction 

An eternal emblem, the snake has woven itself through the fabric of human history. From Cleopatra’s cobra-encircled crown and Queen Victoria’s ouroboros ring to Medusa’s interlocking locks and the asp around Asclepius’s staff, the serpent has symbolized power, healing, and rebirth for centuries. For Bulgari, it is a talisman that embodies seduction and the house’s Greco-Roman heritage. 

Endless Ecdysis

The Bulgari Serpenti has evolved with each new iteration of its design. It began as a simple coiled body—headless but revolutionary. Soon after, the serpent was fleshed out with scales and crowned with a head. Its metamorphosis from tubular timepiece to striking snake saw it shed its skin repeatedly.

The Bulgari Serpenti Jewelry Collection

Crafted in 18k yellow, white, or rose gold, each Serpenti piece showcases a fine or high jewelry interpretation of the snakehead motif. Whether adorned with diamond accent stones, full pave settings, precious gemstones, or vibrant enamel work, each Serpenti will leave you spellbound—possibly forever obsessed. Let’s untangle each Serpenti line below.

Serpenti Viper

The venomous Viper remains a bestseller, maintaining its chokehold on Serpenti lovers for years. Characterized by a sleek silhouette, the Viper is inspired by the fluidity of a snake’s body and the geometric pattern of its scales.

Serpenti Tubogas 

The Tubogas harkens back to the original technique that birthed the Bulgari snake. Spiraling with supple precision, it twists and turns around the hand, neck, or finger, depending on which piece you don. 

Serpenti Seduttori 

The Seduttori, or seducers, will take your breath away—not just by how they wrap around you. Featuring a hypnotic head with striking eyes, the sensual Seduttori is irresistible. 

Serpenti Dragoni 

Haute and heavy, the Dragoni is the largest Serpenti. Like its mythical namesake, the Dragoni is legendary. These haute joaillerie pieces are high art and high value, falling into the hands of a lucky few. 

*Dragoni not pictured.

Serpenti Scaglie 

The Serpenti’s scales stealthily steal the spotlight in the Scaglie, the Italian word for scales. This line represents the natural beauty of the snake’s hexagonal scales, replicating their look and feel with a tactile, textured pattern.

Serpenti Pallini

Named after the Italian word for pellets, the Serpenti Pallini mesmerizes with its distinctive beadwork. Each scale is formed by tiny beads that spiral in a seductive sequence. Its flexible fit makes it a snake embrace to embrace. 

*Pallini not pictured.

Serpenti Forever

Set apart by its signature snakehead hardware, the Serpenti Forever transforms the asp’s elevated allure into everyday luxury. Crafted primarily in supple calf leather, the bodies of these snakes fold into soft forms. 

Hunting Your Bulgari Serpenti

The snake motif has become synonymous with Bulgari, sinking its fangs into everything from jewelry to handbags to watches. Its mythology, magnetism, and mesmeric snakehead signal ultra-luxury as quietly as the slithering snake. There is no need to spiral or throw a hissy fit if the elusive Serpenti seems out of reach. You can find your favorite piece of Bulgari Serpenti jewelry at FASHIONPHILE.

P.SSS. Like a snake eating its tail, we circle back to the beginning. Eve may very well have been lured by a Serpenti and was most likely struck by it in Bulgari Eden, Garden of Wonders.

Shop all Bulgari at FASHIONPHILE. Learn more about the different Serpenti offerings in our Guide to Bulgari Serpenti Collections.