TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingCollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’
Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
PHOTO 
PHOTO 
PHOTO Earlier this month, designer Marla Aaron debuted a capsule collection of gold and porcelain jewelry created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, a project Aaron described as “sort of the biggest thing we’ve ever done.”
Nymphenburg is a German porcelain-maker with a history that stretches back to 1747, when it was created at the behest of Maximilian III Joseph, the duke of Bavaria, in an effort to stimulate the economy through manufacturing.
To this day, the company’s pieces are made by hand using the same techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation for 278 years.
In a post on the brand’s Instagram account, Aaron said she first learned about Nymphenburg Porcelain years before she started her jewelry company.
Around 2001 or 2002, she was invited to an event where someone from Nymphenburg was speaking and was “enchanted” by his talk.
At the end of the event, everyone received a book about Nymphenburg, which Aaron held onto. (The designer, by her own admission, doesn’t throw anything away.)
Years later, after she started her jewelry company, Aaron reached out to Nymphenburg via email to inquire about a possible collaboration, later traveling to the company’s factory outside Munich and meeting with Ingrid Harding, head of product development.
After lunch, while washing some of the company’s plates, Aaron got the idea to create jewelry in Nymphenburg’s Cumberland pattern, a colorful mix of flowers and sweet, garden-friendly insects.
The challenging project, which involved combining 18-karat gold and porcelain, took two years to bring to fruition, but the result is exquisite.
Nymphenburg is a German porcelain-maker with a history that stretches back to 1747, when it was created at the behest of Maximilian III Joseph, the duke of Bavaria, in an effort to stimulate the economy through manufacturing.
To this day, the company’s pieces are made by hand using the same techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation for 278 years.
In a post on the brand’s Instagram account, Aaron said she first learned about Nymphenburg Porcelain years before she started her jewelry company.
Around 2001 or 2002, she was invited to an event where someone from Nymphenburg was speaking and was “enchanted” by his talk.
At the end of the event, everyone received a book about Nymphenburg, which Aaron held onto. (The designer, by her own admission, doesn’t throw anything away.)
Years later, after she started her jewelry company, Aaron reached out to Nymphenburg via email to inquire about a possible collaboration, later traveling to the company’s factory outside Munich and meeting with Ingrid Harding, head of product development.
After lunch, while washing some of the company’s plates, Aaron got the idea to create jewelry in Nymphenburg’s Cumberland pattern, a colorful mix of flowers and sweet, garden-friendly insects.
The challenging project, which involved combining 18-karat gold and porcelain, took two years to bring to fruition, but the result is exquisite.
The pieces in the Marla Aaron x Nymphenburg capsule collection are, from left, the jewelry “depository,” the trundle lock bracelet, earring, and lock, seen here on a Nymphenburg plate in the Cumberland pattern.
A closeup of the “Nymphenburg Lock”
Marla Aaron x Nymphenburg is a capsule collection of four pieces: an earring, a trundle lock bracelet, a porcelain “depository” (jewelry holder), and, of course, the brand’s signature piece—its carabiner-style lock, featured here as our Piece of the Week.
“By turning the Cumberland pattern into jewelry, we are giving it a wider audience because if things are too rarified in this world, they disappear and that was one of my big motivations for this project,” Aaron said in the video.
“So, yeah, sort of the biggest thing we’ve ever done.”
The “Nymphenburg Lock” (price upon request), like the other pieces in the collection, is being sold at Bergdorf Goodman, on the Marla Aaron website, and at the designer’s New York City showroom.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
Weekly QuizJun 11, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
