"A well-cut gem is more than a three-dimensional object. It has an inside too, that's another three dimensions. Same with humans. It takes time to know a gem, and it takes time to know a person," he said.

Chan has customers from the world over: China, the US, Switzerland, France and countries in Middle East. He tells all of his customers to take their time deciding on a purchase.

"I don't want them to buy it immediately after seeing the piece. I tell them to go back and if they miss it, if they still like it after three months, come back."

In 42 years, Chan has never opened a store. "I don't work for money, because then I have to listen to others. A store would constrain me," Chan said. "I don't do a brand either. I only do craft."

He has done 500 pieces in the past four decades, and has more than 1,000 works in progress.

"Painters use paint, musicians use notes, I use gemstones to create," he said. "Jewelry is the same as painting or music. It is a form of artistic expression. For more than four decades gemstones have been the most important language I use to communicate with nature and the universe. I use gemstones as my medium to create life and through creation, I become one with nature."

hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com