SourcingAug 05, 2022
Rare Earth Mining Co.’s Bill Heher Dies at 72The passionate gem lover helped bring more than 300 different varieties of stones to the gem trade.
TrendsJun 28, 2019
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s American Lock
Aaron’s latest one-of-a-kind lock tells the story of the American Dream.
Anyone who knows Marla Aaron knows she is an exceptionally thoughtful designer, so it comes as little surprise that her lock that’s an ode to Americana has a story.
She originally hatched plans for the piece in 2016, with visions of the lock’s closure rendered in blue sapphire pavé, with white diamonds signifying the stars of the American flag. She thought she would send it as a gift to the first female president of the United States.
When Hillary Clinton lost the election to Donald Trump, she abandoned the idea. This year, however, Aaron had a change of heart.
“A few months ago I said to myself that I was being ridiculous,” the designer explained in an e-mail, “that it was going to be a beautiful lock and we should make it.
“But I thought we should change the closure and have the closure be lapis and cachalong (a form of opal) stars, and the lapis should be set in a haphazard, almost broken, fashion, because we are not perfect; there are cracks in the glittery surface of our beloved ‘American Dream.’ But it is still beautiful, and it is still our story.”
The 18-karat gold lock with lapis lazuli, cachalong, ruby and diamond, strung on a 36-inch undyed Mediterranean coral beaded necklace (pictured below), is available through inquiry on Aaron’s website. The lock is priced at $20,000 and necklace at $8,000.
More on Trends
The Latest
MajorsAug 05, 2022
Former Nike Executive Joins Team at David Yurman Marcelo Tau is the company’s new chief operations officer.
Policies & IssuesAug 05, 2022
Satta Matturi Joins RJC BoardThe jewelry designer founded her eponymous brand in 2015 after nearly two decades in the diamond industry.
Brought to you by
The American Mined™ Collection: Ethical Sourcing That MattersRio Grande provides a pathway to responsibly sourced gemstones.
Supplier BulletinAug 04, 2022
Unusual Jewelry Finds Eager Buyers In Online AuctionsSponsored by HiBid
Weekly QuizAug 04, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
WatchesAug 04, 2022
4 Takeaways from Chrono24’s Analysis of the Luxury Watch MarketThe watch seller comments on future demand, how the crypto crash impacted Rolex and Patek Philippe pricing, the supply recovery, and more.
CollectionsAug 04, 2022
The Rest of De Beers’ 2022 High Jewelry Collection Is HereIt features fives sets of jewelry.
Brought to you by
Knowledge and Skills for Today’s Hot TopicsFrom laboratory-grown diamonds to design to country-of-origin, GIA's Alumni Collective™ has a seminar to suite your needs.
Lab-GrownAug 04, 2022
Lab-Grown Diamond Co. Plasmability Partners with HRA GroupThrough the collaboration, HRA will exclusively cut, polish, and distribute Plasmability’s lab-grown diamonds in the market.
IndependentsAug 04, 2022
TJA to Offer ‘Texas Tours’ at Upcoming Round-Up EventThey include a tour of a museum’s gem collection and demonstrations of diamond cutting and polishing.
TechnologyAug 03, 2022
Tiffany Introduces CryptoPunk NFT PendantsThe limited-edition pendants, available in digital and physical form, retail for $50,000 and are exclusive to holders of CryptoPunks NFTs.
AuctionsAug 03, 2022
Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker’s ‘Lost’ Jewelry Coming to AuctionThe sale includes pieces “The King” gifted to his longtime manager, as well as jewelry Elvis owned and wore on stage.
WatchesAug 03, 2022
Breitling’s Latest Ambassador Is an NFL StarTrevor Lawrence is the quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
SourcingAug 03, 2022
Gembridge Launches Reseller Program for Colored Stones and Jewelry It gives trade members full access to its catalog of products so they can sell listings on their own online platforms.
IndependentsAug 03, 2022
Day’s Jewelers Announces New VP of Merchandising Julie Collins succeeds Kathy Corey in the role.
ColumnistsAug 02, 2022
Why Passing on Lab-Grown Diamonds Might Be a Risky BetRetailers would be wise to embrace this growing segment of the market instead of shunning it, Peter Smith writes.
SourcingAug 02, 2022
AGTA Names John Ford as Its New CEOHe’s the owner of The Lightning Ridge Collection but will pivot to focus on his new role.
SurveysAug 02, 2022
Consumer Confidence Falls for Third Month in JulyRising prices and interest rate hikes are expected to weigh on consumer spending and economic growth over the next six months.
TrendsAug 01, 2022
Amanda’s Style File: Peridot That PopsTo kick off August, Amanda Gizzi is sharing jewelry featuring the month’s OG birthstone.
CrimeAug 01, 2022
Joseph DuMouchelle Sentenced to 12 Years Behind Bars in $12M FraudThe Michigan auctioneer and appraiser also has to pay restitution totaling $25 million for other victims of his fraud scheme.
MajorsAug 01, 2022
GIA Appoints First Vice President of Sustainability ProgramsJohanna Levy will oversee the environmental, social, and governance programs.
EditorsJul 29, 2022
The Jewelry Industry Remembers Castro: A Complicated, Magical DesignerBefore his sudden death last week, the designer had reached new creative heights.
SourcingJul 29, 2022
De Beers Sales Rise 23% YOY in July Despite unusually high summertime sales, the company’s CEO said the industry remains “watchful.”
MajorsJul 29, 2022
Jewelers of America Elects 4 New Directors to Board Joseph Corey, Krystle Craycraft, Sue Hopeman, and Sherry Smith will each serve three-year terms on the board.
TrendsJul 29, 2022
Piece of the Week: Zahn-Z Jewelry’s ‘Gem Pop’ RingA lab-grown ruby makes the perfect nostalgic treat.
Supplier BulletinJul 28, 2022
Local Jewelry Dealers Use Online Auctions To Find Bidders WorldwideSponsored by HiBid
FinancialsJul 28, 2022
Boucheron, Pomellato Deliver ‘Very Solid’ Performances for Kering Revenue for the group that includes Kering’s jewelry brands grew 32 percent in the first half of 2022.
