Behind the Brand: Sylvie Majerová

She started quietly, almost secretly, crafting simple jewellery while raising three small children. Today, Sylvie Majerová creates talismanic pieces from gold and raw stones sourced from around the world — including the Czech lands she calls home. Her work blends deep intuition, ecological respect, and the alchemy of lost-wax casting. Each piece holds its own rhythm, its own voice.

Sylvie Majerová sees jewellery not as decoration, but as a vessel of identity — crafted slowly, mindfully, and with soul. In this intimate conversation for MAGPAPER, she opens up about leaving a government career, learning to trust the creative process, and why she believes that stones are like stars: “They carry the energy of the earth and speak in their own language — if you’re quiet enough to listen.”

Your journey began in a completely different environment, working at the Ministry for the Environment. When did you have that inner moment that told you to start making jewelry?

The world of jewelry—tiny objects that carry immense power—fascinated me since childhood. I even considered studying jewelry-making in Turnov, but life led me elsewhere. After high school, I studied Landscape Architecture in Lednice, South Moravia. I worked as a garden designer and then at the Ministry. Then came motherhood—I had three children in two years and stayed home with them for a long time. We moved from Prague to Pardubice, and eventually to Potštejn, where I have family roots.

Just for fun, I tried making simple jewelry. It completely consumed me and never let go. Suddenly, I couldn’t see any other path but this. Of course, the beginnings weren’t easy, but that wasn’t important. I kept exploring different techniques and improving over time.

"Jewellery is not about trends — it's about truth, identity, and quiet strength."

You once designed gardens, now you work with stones. Do you feel a similar energy flowing through both?

Yes, it’s the energy of the Earth. Landscape design still fascinates me—when I see a harmonious landscape, I feel joy. I believe we must treat land with great sensitivity and respect; it shapes what we call home. Gemstones are like tiny stars the Earth gives us, and we should handle them with the same reverence.

Your jewelry is handcrafted with a focus on ecology and the origin of each stone. What does sustainability mean to you in practice?

Let’s be honest—no production can be 100% ecological. As soon as something material is created, it carries some burden. I try to reduce it as much as possible. I replace some chemical processes with mechanical work and carefully monitor the sources of my gemstones. I don’t buy from large corporations. I work mostly with artisanal miners and families who mine stones on their own land and treat it responsibly. Often, someone in the family also handles the cutting.

A key part of sustainability is also the customer. Instead of buying trendy pieces that last one season, they choose something aligned with their personality. This is what we call slow jewelry—people buying fewer but higher-quality pieces that last for years, even generations.

You learned the technical side of jewelry-making in an unusual way—through your husband's dental equipment. What made you turn that technical legacy into your own know-how?

Thanks to the equipment from my husband’s dental practice, I got to try the lost wax casting technique—and I fell in love with it. I’ve used it ever since. Most of my pieces are created this way. I find the meditative nature of working with wax and its transformation into precious metal absolutely captivating.

You source your stones from all over the world. They carry their origins, power, and spirit. How do you choose them? Is it intuitive?

Yes—sometimes I’m amazed how the same stone from different places feels completely different. Aquamarine from Brazil or Africa is not like one from Pakistan. Stones carry the energy of their creation and location. I choose intuitively—based on the stone and the person offering it. At the Tucson gem fair in Arizona, which I attend every year, I have long-term contacts and always discover something new that captures me.

You say sometimes you keep a stone for weeks before knowing what it will become. Is it like waiting quietly for the right moment?

Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes years. Some stones immediately tell me what they want to become, others patiently wait. I can’t predict it in advance. When I plan a new series, I lay the stones out on my table and observe them for a while. Then the work flows naturally, and I don’t have to overthink the design.

How has the woman who buys jewelry changed today? Do you sense a shift in consciousness and a deeper desire for uniqueness?

I don’t know if it’s just the women who come to me, or if it’s a general shift—but yes, I see that women have matured into gifting themselves with something that makes them feel more themselves. They don’t want what everyone else has. They want something original, like they are. It gives them strength to face today’s complex world. Knowing you own something truly one-of-a-kind gives you incredible confidence.

You mentioned that women are investing more in themselves today. What do your clients tell you when choosing jewelry for a certain life phase?

Sometimes it’s a reward for overcoming a tough life chapter. Sometimes it’s motivation to take a new step. And often, it’s simply for joy—and that’s the best reason of all. Because that’s what life is about: living joyfully.

Many of your pieces are created using the lost wax casting method. It combines technical precision with personal creativity. What still fascinates you about it?

Working with wax is completely different from working with precious metal. There’s no pressure to not ruin something expensive. It’s calm yet fully focused. It’s my meditation. The better and more precise the wax model, the less finishing is needed later in metal. Some designs look better in wax than in metal and vice versa. That’s why experience and understanding material properties are key.

“Jewellery is my way of slowing down, grounding, giving shape to intuition.”

Do you remember your first solo trip with a backpack to the Las Vegas gem show? What went through your mind on the plane? What did you bring home besides stones?

I’ll never forget it! It was crazy and if I had thought rationally, I probably wouldn’t have gone. I wasn’t used to long flights or jet lag. I had a few hundred dollars and wanted to see what a global gem fair was like. On the plane, I wasn’t exactly proud of myself. I’m not a big-city person, and Las Vegas was definitely not my style—but the fair was incredible. It completely pulled me in. I spent nearly all my money on stones and learned about the Tucson fair, which is even bigger and focused solely on gems. I came home with a few stones, new contacts, and an experience I’ll never forget.

Tucson became another stop on your journey. Can you describe what such a fair looks like and what it means to you?

Tucson is the mecca of gemstones. Suppliers, cutters, traders, and collectors from all over the world gather there. For about three weeks, the entire city revolves around minerals, fossils, and other geological wonders. There are about 40 different venues across the city. Some are open to the public; others require proof you’re in the trade. You see the rarest minerals and gems.

It’s a fantastic experience! Everyone is kind and enthusiastic. Shopping for stones there is pure joy. For me, it means saving up for months in advance—because sometimes you find a stone that will never appear again, and you just have to get it. I follow the newsletters and social media updates of exhibitors to spot new releases. And beyond the business side, it’s a little escape from the Central European winter.

You describe gemstones as "stars from the Earth." Which stone carries the most power for you personally, and why?

That’s the hardest question. The most powerful stone is always the one I’m working with at the moment. It changes, just like we do. I have long-term favorites: Oregon sunstones (I love them all), tourmalines for their color variety, aquamarines for their calmness, Czech moldavites for their strength and truthfulness. Australian Boulder opals are another weakness—they spark endless creativity. Then there are stones you love because of the memories or people tied to them. I don’t seek flawless gems. I prefer those with inclusions and complex inner worlds. They tell stories. They fascinate me.

“A stone is like a message from the Earth — it carries memory, time and energy.”

Are there moments when you simply have to keep a piece for yourself? Something resonates so deeply you can't part with it?

It happens occasionally. I’ve learned to let go, and I know I can’t keep everything, but sometimes I can’t resist. And there are always stones that speak to me so strongly in a given moment that I keep them in the form of jewelry.

What have you learned about yourself through your jewelry? How has creating slowly, in your own way, shaped you?

There was no other way. I get offers for collaborations and help, but they don’t appeal to me. I know what I love, how I want to live and work. Everything else enters my life naturally, at the right time. That’s the main lesson this work has taught me. To accept things as they are. To be patient. To stay true to my own path—a path that brings me joy and allows me to bring joy to others.

What does your ideal creative day look like? Do you have any rituals that help you tune into the right energy?

I like my daily rhythm. I take care of my body and soul. I can’t imagine a morning without a walk in the forest, some exercise, and a good breakfast. I prefer working in the calm of the morning. Afternoons are for emails, social media, e-shop, and photography. I have a family, so my time is shaped by our shared schedules and the kids' programs. Every quiet hour in the studio feels like a reward. I have many little rituals, but I’m not dependent on them. I don’t want to be tied to anything. But before starting, I like to cleanse my hands over a candle flame.

What's your quiet dream—the one you may not speak aloud yet, but know you're moving toward?

I don’t know. I take things as they come. I want to bring joy to women—and I already do. I’m open to being surprised by what comes next.

This conversation with Sylvie Majerová took us into a world where Earth’s energy meets feminine intuition and where every piece of jewellery is born in the rhythm of nature, silence and inner strength. Her story is not just about gemstones. It’s about the courage to stay true to your path in a world that often demands speed and performance. To create meaningfully is to create with heart. Sylvie, we wish you continued success may your jewels keep shining like stars from the Earth, bringing joy to those who choose to wear a story.

INSTAGRAM: Sylvie Majerová