Bulgari Colored Sapphire and Diamond Flower Suite, 2005

Bulgari has long approached colored gemstones with an exuberance that distinguishes the Roman House, frequently favoring unexpected combinations of hue over conventional uniformity. In this floral suite, pear-shaped sapphires in a painterly range of pink, violet, peach, green and warm cognac tones are arranged as individual petals around brilliant cut diamond centers. Rather than attempting to match the sapphires precisely, Bulgari exploits their variations in color and tone, giving each flower its own character and creating an unusually rich play of color.  

The Necklace 

The necklace is particularly beautifully constructed. Two articulated floral clusters descend between diamond-set open links, culminating in a large pear-shaped pink sapphire drop of approximately 7 carats. Diamond-set circular motifs continue along the gold chain, establishing a rhythm of color, brilliance and open space throughout the design. The articulation allows the flowers and pendant to move independently, while the mixture of substantially sized gemstones, polished yellow gold and delicately set diamonds gives the necklace the combination of opulence and informality that is so characteristic of Bulgari’s modern colored-stone jewelry.  

Each necklace Bulgari created in this design is distinguished by its own individual palette of colored sapphires, giving each example a subtly different character. The unusual harmony and sophistication of this unique coloring make it an especially compelling example of design.  

• Pendant is approximately 2 inches long 
• The necklace has two lengths: 15 inches and 16 inches  
• Total colored sapphire weight is approximately 15 carats  
• 558 grams  
• Numbered 1936 
• Marks for 18k gold  
• Signed Bulgari

The Earrings  

The accompanying earrings distill the necklace’s recurring floral motif into a pair of beautifully balanced single blossoms. Pear-shaped colored sapphires in a nuanced range to match the necklace: pink, violet, peach, green and warm cognac hues, form the petals centered by a brilliant-cut diamond. The deliberately varied sapphires give each flower a lively, individual character while maintaining a harmonious palette across the suite. Worn alone, the earrings have an appealing simplicity; together with the necklace, they complete Bulgari’s exuberant celebration of color.  

• Width and height of each flower is 0.5 inches 
• 75 grams 
• Marks for 18k gold 
• Signed Bulgari