Vesuvianite: A Stone of Transformation

Gemstone SpotlightJewelry Care
Written By Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

A stunning collection of natural vesuvianite beads in varying shades of green, showcasing the gem’s unique color depth and organic beauty. Perfect for crafting one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios

When I select gemstones, I’m thinking about how they feel, not just how they look. Vesuvianite is one stone I enjoy working with. It has this quiet, grounded energy that you notice right away. It comes from volcanic rock, so it carries all this deep earth history, and you can feel it when you hold it.

Vesuvianite was first found near Mount Vesuvius back in the 1700s, and it’s also called idocrase. That second name makes sense because it can look like a mix of other gemstones. People have worn it as a stone of protection for centuries, and today it’s still linked to courage, letting go of old habits, and figuring out your next chapter.

One-of-a-kind vesuvianite bracelet featuring faceted green vesuvianite beads on oxidized recycled sterling silver pins, paired with a delicate recycled 18k yellow gold chain and handcrafted silver toggle clasp.

One-of-a-kind Pellia Bracelet from Michelle Pajak-Reynolds’s Voyageuse Collection. Faceted vesuvianite beads shimmer against oxidized sterling silver and recycled 18k gold, offering a rich, textural expression of natural beauty and contrast. Photo credit: Julie Stanley/JuleImages

In the studio, I’ll sit with a stone, turn it in the light, and see what it wants to be. Most vesuvianite is rich velvety green, sometimes olive or forest, with the occasional honey or rare lilac. Every one is different. And almost all of it is untreated, which I love. What you see is exactly how nature intended.

Vesuvianite is found in a few spots around the world including parts of the U.S., Italy, Africa, Japan, Mexico, and each place produces its own unique color or structure. I usually work with small, ethically sourced parcels and let the stones guide each design.

Vesuvianite is a strong stone, but not indestructible. About a 6.5 on the hardness scale, so it’s good for everyday wear if you treat it kindly. A little soap and water, a soft brush around the settings, and keeping it separate from harder or softer stones is a good idea.

Vesuvianite isn’t flashy. It quietly holds your story. That’s why I feature it in my designs.

A glimpse into the making of the Nularia Earrings—where olive moss-toned vesuvianite and luminous rock crystal come to life on the bench.

A glimpse into the making of the Nularia Earrings, where olive moss-toned vesuvianite and luminous rock crystal come to life on Michelle’s workbench. Inspired by forest floors and wild growth, each element is carefully hand-set in recycled 18k gold, capturing nature’s raw elegance in progress. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios

Vesuvianite Jewelry

Metaphysical & Historical Notes

All symbolic, metaphysical, and cultural associations are shared for educational and inspirational purposes. Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios LLC does not claim any medical or healing outcomes. Please consult a healthcare provider for medical concerns.

 

 

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

The creative journey of Michelle Pajak-Reynolds—from childhood spark to timeless, handcrafted treasures.

“My love story with jewelry began before I was born. My parents met across a jewelry counter—my mother, a jewelry department manager; my father, a police officer working loss prevention in his off-duty hours. That moment of serendipity set everything in motion.

By five, I was working on my first designs in pop-beads and jelly bracelets, completely captivated by Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman—especially those iconic power bracelets and her gleaming tiara. I didn’t want to just wear magic, I wanted to make it. With babysitting money and a fierce sense of purpose, I bought beads and wire from the local craft store and taught myself the fundamentals. That curiosity turned into a calling.

I took my first metalsmithing class in high school and never looked back. I went on to earn a BFA in Jewelry/Metals from Kent State University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Baldwin-Wallace University—equipping me to build a business rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and soul.

Since founding my namesake jewelry company in 2001, I’ve focused on creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind designs—each one handcrafted using traditional metalsmithing techniques and ethically sourced materials. My work is intimate and intentional: forged in fire, shaped by hand, and designed to stir something deep within you. Every gemstone, every metal, every story that inspires a collection is carefully chosen, researched, and refined. This is slow jewelry with a purpose: to help you mark what matters most.

My pieces have graced red carpets at the Emmy Awards, runways at New York Fashion Week, and exhibitions around the world—including aboard the United Nations Peace Boat. Collectors, stylists, and editors seek out my work, but what means the most to me is when a client says, “This feels like it was made just for me.”

Because it was.

Jewelry, to me, is personal mythology made tangible. It’s a way of preserving the past, celebrating the present, and passing something meaningful into the future. So when you open your jewelry box, you're not just looking at beautiful objects—you're holding pieces of your life’s story. And maybe, just maybe, you're beginning a new chapter.” - Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

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