SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TrendsJul 17, 2018
Marla Aaron’s Vending Machine Finds a New Home
The machine, which dispenses her fine jewelry, debuted earlier this year at the Brooklyn Museum.
Jewels on wheels. A view of the Marla Aaron fine jewelry vending machine at its new home at The William Vale hotel.
New York—Marla Aaron’s fine jewelry vending machine is on the move.
Late last year, the designer launched her ultra-creative retail endeavor, selling a small selection of her sterling silver and gold signature lock jewelry in a customized vending machine at the Brooklyn Museum.
Now, the machine has moved, not terribly far away but to an area with a distinctly different feel.
In late June, it appeared at the location that will be its new home through September, the park outside The William Vale hotel, an independent boutique hotel in Brooklyn’s trendy Williamsburg neighborhood.
“I wanted the next location of our vending machine to be outside,” Aaron explained, noting that the Japanese vending machines that originally inspired her concept are often found out-of-doors.
Aaron feels that such a novel retail concept resonates well with the denizens of Brooklyn.
“If it's interesting and new, whether it be food, fashion or music, it's happening in Brooklyn and The William Vale is at the heart of it,” she said.
Since it opened in 2016, The William Vale has become a major New York City tourist destination, not least for its spectacular rooftop views of the Manhattan skyline.
Perhaps those tourist dollars are the explanation for the machine’s sales so far.
“Interestingly, at the Brooklyn Museum the price point of what we sold was much lower. We mostly sold the silver pieces. Since launching at The William Vale the single most popular piece is the gold ‘Babylock’ on a chain that retails for $644.00. We have sold several,” Aaron said.
The machine sells 12 pieces, focusing on the brand’s most straightforward designs, like the Babylock in five different metals.
The items start at $165 for a sterling silver Babylock on a sterling silver chain. The most expensive piece is the 14-karat yellow gold twisted lock pendant on an oxidized sterling silver chain that sells for $1,588.
Aaron said that like her design process, which started with the concept of a fine jewelry lock and has organically grown to include different jewelry making techniques and styles, her retail strategy takes a learn-as-you-go approach.
“I don’t feel like we are innovating consciously,” she said, “it’s more that we are following an iterative process, tweaking and improving as we go along, zealously and constantly. That's how I view the collection, and I view our retail strategy the same way.”
Aaron is planning to launch more vending machines in the future, but
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
is as focused on her wholesale business as ever.
“We will continue to grow our retail and wholesale business on a parallel path as they are both critical for the long-term success of our company,” Aaron said.
In the meantime, the vending machine will be at The William Vale’s outdoor Vale Park through September.
“We will continue to grow our retail and wholesale business on a parallel path as they are both critical for the long-term success of our company,” Aaron said.
In the meantime, the vending machine will be at The William Vale’s outdoor Vale Park through September.
More on Trends
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
