Planning your next getaway or business trip? Don’t let tangled chains, lost earrings, or damaged heirlooms ruin the fun. In this guide, you'll discover smart, stylish ways to pack and protect your favorite jewelry while traveling—so you can focus on making memories, not managing mishaps. From must-pack versatile pieces to insurance tips and pro-level packing hacks, these expert travel jewelry tips will keep your sparkle safe, organized, and ready to shine wherever you go. Bon voyage—and don’t forget to check out my most-loved, travel-ready designs!

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.

Discover the meaning, history, and natural beauty of vesuvianite through the eyes of artisan jeweler Michelle Pajak-Reynolds. Explore this rare gemstone’s volcanic origins, symbolic power, and how to wear and care for vesuvianite jewelry crafted with intention and soul.

Give your jewelry the care and attention it deserves. From thoughtful storage to gentle cleaning and mindful curation, discover how to refresh your collection so every piece you own is beautiful, wearable, and ready to be treasured for generations.

Uncover the timeless story of zircon through the eyes of a metalsmith and gemstone storyteller. From ancient myths and sacred texts to modern-day talismans, explore how this luminous gem has captivated hearts for over 2,000 years. A sensory journey into the soul of one of Earth’s oldest treasures.

Golden Enhydro Quartz is liquid light captured in crystal—a timeless vessel holding ancient golden oil from half a billion years past. Found in sacred, remote mountains, these rare gems glow softly with Earth’s memory, carrying a whisper of emotional healing and spiritual depth. Holding one is like cradling a secret sung by the heart of the world.

Discover the timeless allure of sapphire—from ancient myths and royal love stories to the gemstone’s celestial colors and healing energy. Explore the history, symbolism, and care of this luminous jewel through the eyes of a jewelry artist.

Discover the luminous beauty and rich lore of peridot, August’s birthstone and a gem once treasured by Egyptian pharaohs and Hawaiian goddesses. From its volcanic and celestial origins to modern ethical sourcing in Arizona, explore why this vivid green gemstone is a timeless symbol of protection, abundance, and inner light. Learn how to care for your peridot jewelry.

Chrome diopside, the vivid “Siberian Emerald,” glows with the pure green of untouched nature. First discovered in Siberia in 1988, this chromium-rich gem symbolizes renewal, abundance, and the Tree of Life. Loved for its rare, springlike hue and raw crystal beauty, chrome diopside needs no treatment—just the care of a gentle hand.

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.