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 with an otherworldly glow, moonstone has captured the imagination of jewelry lovers and dreamers across centuries. More than a gemstone, it is a talisman of beauty, mystery, and ethereal light.

 

History and Lore

Across cultures, moonstone has long been regarded as a gift of the heavens. The Romans and Hindus believed it to be solidified moonlight, a celestial beam made tangible. Ancient Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder named the gem after observing how its shimmer seemed to wax and wane with the lunar cycle.

Native American traditions connect moonstone with the dreamworld, using it as a guide to balance emotions and awaken intuition. For many, wearing moonstone during a full moon was thought to bring love, luck, and luminous clarity. Astrologically, it resonates deeply with the water signs—Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio—symbols of fluidity and intuition.

Once celebrated as an August birthstone, moonstone was later reassigned to June alongside pearl and alexandrite, affirming its place as one of the most enchanting gems of summer.

 

How Moonstone Forms

Moonstone owes its captivating shimmer—known as adularescence—to a delicate dance of minerals. As layers of orthoclase and albite feldspar align during formation, light bends and scatters across them, creating the gem’s signature watery glow, reminiscent of moonlight drifting across still waters.

Mined in locales as far-reaching as Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Myanmar, Tanzania, and the United States, each moonstone carries the quiet mystery of the earth and sky.

A Jeweler’s Perspective

Traditionally, moonstones are cut into smooth cabochons to highlight their sheen, but they are equally stunning in faceted forms. One of my personal favorites is the faceted rondelle bead, with its round perimeter and softly flattened sides—striking when clustered together in luminous designs.

Moonstone’s ethereal white pairs beautifully with precious metals. It gleams with elegance in gold and platinum, but there is a particular magic when set against the deep grays and inky blacks of oxidized sterling silver—the contrast evokes moonlight breaking through a night sky.

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 is a gem that deserves gentle care. Clean with lukewarm water and a soft brush or cloth, taking care to avoid ultrasonic, chemical, or steam cleaners, which may damage its delicate structure. With proper care, moonstone will keep its silken glow for generations.


Explore my curated collection of moonstone jewelry, where each design celebrates the gem’s luminous beauty and timeless enchantment.

Moonstone Jewelry




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

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