Raw gemstones, or rough gemstones, are a favorite in my jewelry designs for their unique textures and natural beauty. These one-of-a-kind stones, untouched by gem cutters, showcase their natural form and color, making them perfect conversation starters. In this post, I’ll answer some common questions about raw gemstones, share how I incorporate them into my designs, and offer tips on caring for and adding raw gemstone jewelry to your collection. Whether you're drawn to their sculptural shape, durability, or stunning color, raw gemstone jewelry adds a distinct touch to any collection. Explore my designs, from delicate earrings to bold necklaces, and find the perfect raw gemstone piece to express your personal style.

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds chats with Jess Taylor and Natalie Ringeis, hosts of the Love the Green Life Podcast. In this episode they discuss exciting stories about how Michelle’s daughter has artwork at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral, the inspiration for Michelle’s designs, how she’s shifted to making more sustainable choices in the raw materials and processes for creating her award-winning jewelry designs and tips for keeping your jewelry looking fabulous for years to come.

Vesuvianite in all its juicy shades of green, represents prosperity and courage and was once worn by Ancient Greeks and Romans as a protective amulet.

Far less daunting than re-organizing your wardrobe, cleaning out and curating your jewelry collection is a fun and sparkling way to spend some time. It also often includes joyful trips down memory lane that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and happy. Here’s 5 tips for caring for and creating a jewelry collection that you’ll love and be proud to pass down through multiple generations.

Not to be confused with cubic zirconia, zircon is a gemstone older than our moon and almost as old as our planet. Its use and stunning sparkle has been documented in sacred texts for thousands of years. Available in many colors of the rainbow, zircon gives gem and jewelry lovers a timeless shimmering option for their collections.

Golden enhydro quartz, a phenomenal gemstone that glows from within and found in only 3 locations worldwide, gives jewelry lovers a remarkable option for their collections.

Desired for centuries as the ultimate blue gemstone, sapphires got their name from the Greek word sappheiros which means “blue color.” Deep blue sapphires are considered stones of wisdom, protection and nobility by nearly every culture and religion. While blue is its best-known shade, sapphires are available in almost every color of the rainbow.

Peridot’s signature juicy green apple color has been desired since ancient times and is one of the birthstones for August.

Scarlet, carmine, or crimson. Regardless of the name of the shade, the iconic red color of ruby has been coveted and collected by gem and jewelry lovers for thousands of years.

Luscious and juicy chrome diopside offers gemstone and jewelry lovers the perfect shade of green for welcoming spring.

The mystical moonstone, one of the birthstones for June, offer far more than meets the eye.

What’s the difference between carat and karat?  These identical sounding words mean very different things and it can be confusing for those who are not used to using them every day. The key thing to remember is that one is a unit of measurement and the other is a unit of fineness.