‘Monete’ Ancient Coin, Diamond and Sapphire Ring, Bulgari

Unique Elements
Bulgari began incorporating ancient Roman coins into necklaces and bracelets in the 1960s, adding rings by the 1970s. This ring features a coin of Roman soldier inscribed ‘Calabria Tarentum’, in circulation during the 3rd century B.C. We like it with a strapless gown or jumpsuit as well as with a jewel neck sweater for day.

Cabochon A cabochon is a gem which has been shaped and polished but not faceted, typically with a domed top and flat bottom. Cabochons are often cut for opaque stones, for softer translucent gems as well as to highlight phenomenon such as asterism “star” and chatoyancy “cat’s eye”, as these would not show in faceted stones. The 'sugarloaf' cabochon cut features a 4-sided pyramid shape.

Sapphire Blue sapphire is a variety of corundum, a mineral species that also includes ruby. Sapphires can be blue, violet, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, multicolored as well as color change, most often going from blue to purple, as well as gray, black, or brown. Blue sapphire can have both green and violet undertones, as well as the more desirable pure blue. Trace elements of iron or titanium cause sapphire’s blue color, with iron resulting in an inky, darker tone than the often vivid blue resulting from titanium. When jewelers refer to sapphire without specifying color, this refers to blue sapphire. Sapphire is the September birthstone and the stone of the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.

Bulgari Founded in Rome in 1884 by Sotirios Voulgaris, who changed his name to Bulgari, the company continued to expand after World War 2 with the introduction of its renowned Serpenti collection of bracelet-watches. During the 1950s and 60s Bulgari continued to make its name for use of multi-colored stones, creating pieces for Elizabeth Taylor, Ingrid Bergman and Gina Lollobrigida. Today the house continues to be known for angular forms, strong colors, cabochon gems and enduring collections such as Serpenti and Parentesi.