Inspired by the legend of prima ballerina, Marie Taglioni, dancing under the stars on a winter’s night, the Sylphide collection is rich in mysterious geodes, shimmering sillimanite and clusters of twinkling raw diamonds and champagne zircons.  Graceful and elegant, these designs celebrate and re-imagine that magical moment as contemporary one-of-a-kind wearable works of art.

Wow, what an incredible adventure! I've recently returned from a beautiful Herkimer Diamond mining trip with my friends and fellow jewelry designers in Herkimer County, New York. Herkimer is home to the world-famous Herkimer Diamonds. Learn more about these fascinating gems and how to mine them in this account from our treasure hunting.

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

Take a look inside Squirrel City Jewelers, now featuring Michelle Pajak-Reynolds jewelry.

Intricate textures, patterns and forms featuring pin-set gemstones are a few of Michelle Pajak-Reynolds’s signature design elements. See how they’re made in this look behind the scenes.

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. 

From concept to creation, experience the making of Michelle Pajak-Reynolds’s Voyageuse Collection

Exploring the wonder and beauty of pearls, the birthstone for June.

Spring-cleaning isn’t just for closets and junk drawers; it’s also great for your jewelry box.  Knowing how to properly care for your jewelry makes a significant difference in maintaining its beauty and heirloom quality for generations to come.  Here are my top 6 tips for how to care for your bejeweled treasures.

Coveted for centuries, Labradorite gemstones are full of mystery and wonder.  At first glance, they appears as a beautiful grey stones, then the light hits them and your eyes are delighted with shimmering flashes of peacock-blue, velvety green, and fiery orange.  Eskimo Inuit and Native American Innu of Labrador, Canada, where Labradorite gets its name, tell a beautiful tale about the birth of these gems.

Jewelry contains the stories of our lives. We remember the person who gifted the jewels to us or who they used to belong to and the occasions we treated ourselves, celebrated and first wore them and how they make us feel.  These bits of shiny metal, sparkling stones and other beautiful materials become opportunities for storytelling and part of our legacy as beloved jewels, and the stories that go with them, are passed down through generations. The holiday season is just around the corner so rather than write the expected “what to buy” jewelry gift guide, I want to revive the art of gift giving and offer tips for how to give the perfect jewelry gift.

Tarnish is a challenge for every jewelry lover.  You go to put on your favorite jewelry pieces before heading out the door and find beloved treasures speckled with tarnish. UGH! What to do? Choose to wear a different piece, even though your first choice is perfect for your outfit and occasion, or stop and clean your jewelry…