Painting with gemstones

Thompson says that because buyers focus on designs, individual jewelry designers like Feng are getting more attention in the international jewelry market.

According to Phillips, the European buyer of Feng's necklace who offered millions of dollars decided to buy it without seeing the piece in person, but rather just in photos.

Each year, Feng produces around 40 pieces of jewelry. She has to fly between China and France many times a year because Paris houses some of the most skilled craftspeople in the jewelry business.

Feng recalls when she first visited jewelry craftspeople in Paris for collaboration, she was refused because Chinese designers were not yet recognized. But after seeing her designs, they agreed to work with her.

Feng was the only Chinese-speaking apprentice when she learned skills at design studios in Paris.

"There are few Chinese in this field. It's still dominated by Western designers," says Feng, who is regarded as a promising designer of high jewelry by media in the West.