Among Bulgari's most celebrated creations, the Trombino occupies a singular place in the history of twentieth-century jewelry. First conceived in the late 1920s as an engagement ring for Leonilde Bulgari, the design evolved into one of the Maison's enduring icons—a bold architectural silhouette distinguished by its commanding center stone, sculptural volume, and stepped diamond shoulders. Worn by collectors and tastemakers alike, including Elizabeth Taylor, whose extraordinary Bulgari collection helped cement the house's international reputation, the Trombino remains one of the most recognizable and coveted expressions of Roman glamour.
This exceptional example, created in the 1980s, centers on a magnificent certified natural cabochon ruby weighing 17.98 carats. Untreated and unheated, the ruby displays the rich, velvety saturation for which the finest Burmese stones are revered, its softly domed surface revealing an inner glow that seems to deepen with every movement. Surrounding the gem, approximately 7.35 carats of brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds create the Trombino's unmistakable architecture, balancing the ruby's organic form with crisp geometric brilliance.
Crafted in platinum, the ring possesses both presence and refinement, embodying Bulgari's distinctive ability to unite classical proportions with bold Italian modernism. Exceptional untreated rubies of this scale are exceedingly rare, making this not only an iconic design, but also a jewel of remarkable gemological importance.
