TrendsAug 18, 2023
Piece of the Week: Kavant & Sharart’s Summer Soiree EarringsTrendsAug 25, 2023
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s Largest Lock Yet
The brand crafted a 14-karat solid gold lock hand-engraved with images from the Kama Sutra and just like that, it found a buyer.
Marla Aaron is never short on whimsy or creativity, so it follows that when she decided to make her biggest lock yet, she came up with the idea for a hand-engraved piece inspired by the Kama Sutra.
The Kama Sutra is most commonly associated with sex but, Aaron pointed out, that’s not all there is to it.
“People only think of sexual positions but it’s actually an ancient Sanskrit text that’s about the art of pleasure and the art of being fulfilled in life,” she said.
“And,” she added, “you don’t really know it’s naughty until you’re up close.”
Crafted in 14-karat gold, the “Kama Sutra Lock” is solid and hand-engraved.
Like the brand’s other hand-engraved pieces, including the still-available Alice in Wonderland “DiMe” bracelet, the details are subtle and rich.
Viewed from afar, one would have no idea they were looking at a lock etched with outlines of naked people in adventurous positions. And interspersed among the forms are what Aaron describes as “little life details” that have nothing to do with sex—urns, flowers, fabric, a pipe.
“Hand-engraving is such a dying art. It’s such an honor for me to get to work with an engraver to get to do these pieces,” she said. “It feels like a privilege.”
The Kama Sutra is most commonly associated with sex but, Aaron pointed out, that’s not all there is to it.
“People only think of sexual positions but it’s actually an ancient Sanskrit text that’s about the art of pleasure and the art of being fulfilled in life,” she said.
“And,” she added, “you don’t really know it’s naughty until you’re up close.”
Crafted in 14-karat gold, the “Kama Sutra Lock” is solid and hand-engraved.
Like the brand’s other hand-engraved pieces, including the still-available Alice in Wonderland “DiMe” bracelet, the details are subtle and rich.
Viewed from afar, one would have no idea they were looking at a lock etched with outlines of naked people in adventurous positions. And interspersed among the forms are what Aaron describes as “little life details” that have nothing to do with sex—urns, flowers, fabric, a pipe.
“Hand-engraving is such a dying art. It’s such an honor for me to get to work with an engraver to get to do these pieces,” she said. “It feels like a privilege.”
@marlaaaron Verified And Just Like That... SJP wore our Kama Sutra Lock. The largest Lock and chain we’ve ever made. Totally and utterly one of a kind like the experience of this show and this journey that SJP and cast took us all on over the years. The Kama Sutra was written as a guide to the art of living well, the nature of love, finding a life partner, maintaining one’s love life, and other aspects pertaining to the pleasure of living. In the interview Diane Sawyer said that “Sex and the City, 25 years ago, was not just a TV show. It was an earthquake. A daring roadmap for single women about being brave, making messy choices, and living with your mistakes.” One might even add that is the art of living well. Yes. It is. Thank you Sarah Jessica for all of it! #marlaaaronjewelry #satc #andjustlikethat #kumasutra ♬ original sound - marlaaaron
Suspended from the brand’s largest ever handmade 14-karat gold chain, the Kama Sutra lock is priced at $90,000.
A longtime Marla Aaron customer already bought it, the designer confirmed, but those who want to admire still can do so, if they subscribe to HBO’s streaming service, Max.
Prior the lock’s sale the costume designers from “And Just Like That,” the continuation of HBO’s popular series “Sex and the City,” came to Aaron and her team and asked to borrow some pieces for possible placement on the show.
Aaron said they didn’t ask for, or even know about, the Kama Sutra lock but she threw it in with the other jewelry “because it’s amazing.”
The “And Just Like That” team apparently agreed because the show’s fashion-loving protagonist, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), was seen wearing the large lock in episode 9, “There Goes The Neighborhood,” which sees Carrie make a pivotal decision about her future.
Aaron said it’s not the first time one of her pieces has made an appearance on the revival, which was just renewed for a third season. Cynthia Nixon’s character, Miranda, wore one of the brand’s “Chubby DiMe” rings in an earlier episode.
Unsurprisingly, it’s also not the first time the Kama Sutra has crept into the Sex and the City universe.
For longtime fans of SATC, the motif’s recent cameo is a callback to the highly acclaimed season four episode of the show’s original run, “My Motherboard, My Self,” in which the ancient text was central to Samantha’s (Kim Cattrall) storyline.
Related stories will be right here …
A longtime Marla Aaron customer already bought it, the designer confirmed, but those who want to admire still can do so, if they subscribe to HBO’s streaming service, Max.
Prior the lock’s sale the costume designers from “And Just Like That,” the continuation of HBO’s popular series “Sex and the City,” came to Aaron and her team and asked to borrow some pieces for possible placement on the show.
Aaron said they didn’t ask for, or even know about, the Kama Sutra lock but she threw it in with the other jewelry “because it’s amazing.”
The “And Just Like That” team apparently agreed because the show’s fashion-loving protagonist, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), was seen wearing the large lock in episode 9, “There Goes The Neighborhood,” which sees Carrie make a pivotal decision about her future.
Aaron said it’s not the first time one of her pieces has made an appearance on the revival, which was just renewed for a third season. Cynthia Nixon’s character, Miranda, wore one of the brand’s “Chubby DiMe” rings in an earlier episode.
Unsurprisingly, it’s also not the first time the Kama Sutra has crept into the Sex and the City universe.
For longtime fans of SATC, the motif’s recent cameo is a callback to the highly acclaimed season four episode of the show’s original run, “My Motherboard, My Self,” in which the ancient text was central to Samantha’s (Kim Cattrall) storyline.
More on Trends
The Latest
MajorsDec 24, 2024
Nordstrom Family, Partner to Take Retailer Private in $6B DealMembers of the founding family have partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to acquire Nordstrom.
MajorsDec 24, 2024
Boucheron Bets on Las VegasThe brand has opened its second U.S. location in the Fontainebleau resort and casino.
EditorsDec 24, 2024
The Spectrum Jewels I Want to Find Under the Tree Associate Editor Lauren McLemore highlights pieces from the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards she’d be thrilled to unwrap on Christmas.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
SourcingDec 24, 2024
Gemfields to Temporarily Suspend Emerald MiningThe move is one of several cost-cutting measures outlined by the company as it faces a weaker luxury market and other challenges.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsDec 23, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey Stars in The 1916 Company’s New CampaignThe retailer’s “On the Clock” campaign celebrates how time, precision, and purpose come together.
EditorsDec 23, 2024
My Favorite Piece of the Week Jewels of 2024Associate Editor Natalie Francisco chose her 12 favorite Piece of the Week picks from the year gone by.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
GradingDec 23, 2024
GIA Adds Filler Identification to Emerald ReportsLab clients have the option to request this addition on their emerald reports.
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
