Moonstone: Gem of Beautiful Dreams

Gemstone SpotlightJewelry Care
Written By Michelle Pajak-Reynolds
Moonstone cabochons in a variety of shapes and sizes. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Moonstone cabochons in a variety of shapes and sizes. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Shimmering and mysterious, moonstones have been popular across many cultures for centuries and offer jewelry and gemstone lovers far more than meets the eye.

 

History and Lore

In the Roman and Hindu traditions, moonstones are believed to be solidified moonbeams and many other cultures associate this gem with the celestial sky, lunar deities and bringing magical and beautiful dreams. Ancient Roman natural historian Pliny gave moonstones their name when he wrote that moonstones’ shimmering nature shifted with the phases of the moon.  Native American communities associate the wearing of moonstone with enhancing one’s connections to their dreams and balancing emotions.  Some believe that wearing a moonstone during a full moon will bring the wearer good luck and increased feelings of love and affection. Moonstones are also associated with the water signs of the zodiac, Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio.

From the pre-15th-early 20th centuries moonstones were considered one of the birthstones for August.  In an effort to modernize and standardize birthstones, the Jewelers of America released their own list of birthstones following their meeting in 1912 and moved moonstone from August to June.  Other modern birthstones for June include pearl and alexandrite.

 

How moonstones form

Moonstones get their coveted shimmer during their formation when the two feldspar minerals that comprise this gem, orthoclase and albite, separate into alternating layers.  Light plays off of these microscopic layers resulting in a moon-like watery sheen also known as adularescence. 

Moonstones are found a variety of locations around the world including the United States, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar and Tanzania.

Moonstones are often cut in smooth cabochon shapes to showcase the shimmering beauty of these gems and they’re available as faceted stones and beads.  One of my favorites cuts for moonstone is the faceted roundel bead.  This is a faceted bead that has a round perimeter and slightly flat sides where the drill holes are located.  This bead-shape is especially striking when pin-set in clusters.  While moonstones are gorgeous set in silver, gold or platinum, I especially love the silky white of moonstones highlighted against the rich grays and blacks of oxidized sterling silver.

Angels & Gems editorial featuring Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Undina Collection Vanora earrings in rainbow moonstone, pearls, and oxidized recycled sterling silver. Photographer: Julie Stanley/JuleImages Model: Jeanette Thevenin Hair Stylist: Brad L…

Angels & Gems editorial featuring Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Undina Collection Vanora earrings in rainbow moonstone, pearls, and oxidized recycled sterling silver. Photographer: Julie Stanley/JuleImages Model: Jeanette Thevenin Hair Stylist: Brad Lewis Make-up Artist: Rob Thoma

 

Caring for moonstone jewelry

Moonstone jewelry can be cleaned with luke-warm water and a very soft tooth-brush or soft cloth.  Never use ultrasonic, chemical or steam cleaners on moonstones as they can crack when exposed to very high heat.


Here’s a few of our favorite jewelry designs featuring moonstones




Please note, all metaphysical and healing properties listed are collected from a variety of sources and shared for educational, historical and entertainment purposes only. The authors and Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios LLC do not guarantee the validity of such statements nor is any of this information meant to treat medical conditions. If you have a medical concern, please consult your medical provider for appropriate treatment options.

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

michellepajakreynolds.com
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