Bulgari Aims For Joy, Sea And Sunshine With Its Colorful Mediterranea High Jewelry Collection

Bulgari’s new Mediterranea high jewelry collection is brimming with top gemstones in joyful colors, celebrating summer on the Mediterranean, the collection of mostly one-of-a-kind jewels is divided into three sub-collections. The highlight of the first, Southern Radiance, is the Mediterranean Muse necklace, centered by a 15.13-carat cushion shaped sapphire, surrounded by aquamarines and diamonds, designed in a ribbon-like swirl of gold and diamonds, evoking the waves of the sea.

The Roman Splendor group pays homage the eternal city’s many monuments and unique warm light. It includes the Roman Esedra sautoir, featuring a 68.88-carat emerald set in a pendant surrounded by smaller emeralds, amethyst and turquoise, on a yellow gold chain. It also features the Muse of Rome necklace, with a monumental 218.53-carat emerald.

East Meets West includes the fiery Oriental Fantasy necklace, with nine outstanding mandarin garnets totaling over 90 carats, paired with citrines, evoking the earthy hues of Northern African spice markets.

The Tribute to Venice necklace is a nod to the splendor of Venetian architecture, dominated by a 15.38-carat fancy yellow diamond drop, surrounded by yellow and white diamonds and a cascade of diamond baguettes.

This being Bulgari, there were plenty of serpent-themed pieces, including the Mediterranean Sapphire Serpenti necklace with nine Sri Lankan sapphires totaling 40.81 carats. It is designed to evoke snake scales crafted out of platinum and pavé diamonds, culminating in a dramatic tassel with 80 oval-shaped sapphire beads.

The Baroque Serpenti necklace is set with seven emerald drops, all in irregular shapes, surrounding a diamond and emerald body designed as two snakes fused together, a symbol of strength and empowerment. The collection was unveiled at a gala event in Venice in the presence of several celebrities and Bulgari ambassadors, including Priyanka Chopra and Anne Hathaway. Bulgari says the jewels were designed to represent “a journey through history, culture and beauty,” an imaginary trip across the Mediterranean Sea, layering the region’s arts, traditions and crafts into the designs. It blends Byzantine and Roman vibes, as well as references to the spices of North Africa and Southern Italian Baroque sumptuousness.