Although BVLGARI opened in Union Square during the holiday season with no fanfare (the opening party is in March 2010), there isn’t a serious shopper in the Bay Area who hasn’t made his or her way to the gorgeous new store by now and left giddy about the collection on display and in awe of the surroundings.

Spanning 13,000 square feet, with a facade of gris pulpis marble, it’s the largest BVLGARI store in North America and said to be “inspired by the voluminous architecture of ancient palaces.” It has certainly raised the bar for retail in San Francisco!

The store has two entrances, but a first-time visitor will get the full experience of the space by entering via Stockton Street. As soon as you enter, eyes are immediately drawn to the spectacular staircase, which is made of sleek copper and satiny glass. The backlit steps appear to float in the air.

Staircase To Heavenly Wonders

A magnificent rectangular chandelier made of Murano glass cascades down the center, reminiscent of the chandelier in the BVLGARI store that opened in Paris on Avenue George V in 2008.

Customers can alternatively ride between floors in the transparent glass elevator that allows views of the entire store as well as the city skyline.

The overall store design is accented by large panels of silk stretching from floor to ceiling, and soft, warm colors such as bleached and glossy brown oak.

To celebrate the new store, BVLGARI has created a collection of special jewels available only in San Francisco. The collection consists of 19 one-of-a-kind pieces.

There is a set of 10 unique cocktail rings, all designs inspired by the cupola – the architectural form which marked the apogee of Roman architecture. Each piece has a rounded and polished cabochon stone, a trademark characteristic of BVLGARI design.

There is an exquisite pink gold sautoir from the Parentesi Cocktail Collection, with alternating aquamarine, peridot, morganite, pink tourmaline and yellow beryl.

And finally, the Cocktail Collection is made up of 8 individual pieces that were specifically created to
suit a versatile lifestyle. The necklaces and earrings are each made in either coral or turquoise, with diamonds, amethyst and peridot, allowing them to be stylishly worn in day or night.

Shown above: a white gold cocktail ring with cabochon round-cut pink tourmaline (39.91 cts), green tourmaline inserts and pavé diamonds; yellow gold cocktail ring with cabochon round-cut yellow beryl (33.86 cts), amethyst inserts and pavé diamonds; and a pink gold cocktail ring with cabochon oval-cut amethyst (41.91 cts), green tourmaline inserts and pavé diamonds.

For information about any of the items in the special BVLGARI collection, call (415) 399-9141.

Location: 200 Stockton Street, San Francisco