About the Designer: Sauhan Chan

Sauhan is Chinese, born in China during World War II. She grew up in Hong Kong. Her married name is Dorothy S. Ng. The middle initial stands for "Sauhan" that was given by her father, meaning elegant wild orchid. The company logo was designed based on two letters in her Chinese name: the capital 'S' and lower case 'h' to commemorate her father. It is composed of an elegant female smiling face in a hat decorated with spider web and with a capital'S' as the hat rim, and a lower case 'h' as her hair decoration and earrings.

Sauhan has a master degree in structural engineering at University of California, Davis and is a California licensed civil engineer. She enjoys arts and crafts. She took Chinese brush painting from a renowned artist in San Francisco, California, for two years. She also took pencil sketch, watercolor, and pottery at Pleasanton Adult Evening School. After she retired from the research laboratory she started a new career in jewelry design. Her love for beading started when she was a young girl stringing bracelets in Hong Kong for a few pennies in the 50's.

One can literally create millions of unique designs because there are numerous material types, shapes, and colors. She strives to provide varieties of unique jewelry designs. Because some of the gemstone supplies were hard to find items; they may not be reproducible. The crystal and glass jewelry may be reproduced because the supplies are easy to re-stock.

About the gemstones

Gemstone jewelry is worn for pleasure. In addition to the appreciation of its beauty, it is worshiped for its healing power. For example, jade pendants and rose quartz bracelets are popular among the believers. Most gemstones are minerals formed under-ground. Some are organic formations and other gem materials are of synthetic origin. The value of a gemstone is based on its purity and rarity. Diamond captures the appreciation because of its brilliant refraction while Alexandrite captures the real collectors’ attention for its rarity. The inclusions in the gemstones are also very intriguing. The jewelry featured in this catalog were uniquely designed, one of a kind, necklaces hand strung on nylon-coated stainless steel wires. For the seed bead rope silk thread was used, but the ends of the rope were tied to the clasp with wire to ensure its durability. Sterling silver and Vermeil spacers were added to enhance the designs.

For more information on gemstones please refer to the following three references:
1. Cally Hall, Smithsonian Handbooks, “Gemstones”, Dorling Kindersley, Inc., New York, 2002.
2. Walter Schumann, “Gemstones of the World”, Revised & Expanded Edition, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1999.
3. Cassandra Eason, “The Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals”, A comprehensive Guide to 150 Crystals and Gemstones, Vega, A member of Chrysalis Books Plc, UK, 2003.

Agate occurs in nodular masses in rocks such as volcanic lavas. It is a banded, concentric, shell-like chalcedony. They reveal variety of colors and patterns and a distinct bandings. SN506 and SN511 display moss agate that is translucent chalcedony with moss-like inclusions.	SN511-N*, 31.0in.,    $30.00 agate, Vermeil	Amber is the fossilized resin of trees. The Baltic amber in SN151 necklace is in two golden orange tones. The amber in SN463 Necklace and SN462 Bracelet are translucent with inclusion. The amber in the SN461 Bracelet is in milky beige color. For color coordination carnelian and aquamarine were used.	SN150-N*, 19.0in.,    $50.00 amber (baltic & butterscotch)
Amazonite is mostly opaque, green sodium feldspar. Color distribution is irregular, namely light green to pale white. Its luster is vitreous. Deposits are found in Colarado, Brazil, India, Kenya, and Rissia.	SN586-N*, 15.5in.,    $20.00 amazonite, S. silver	Amethyst is crystalline quartz in purple to lavender colors. The Greeks believed it to be effective against drunkenness. It’s known to be the all-healer. It is popular for Buddhist prayer beads. Rough cut and spherical beads were decorated with Swavorski crystals strung on sterling silver clasp in many designs.	SN073-N*, 15.5in.,    $20.00 amethyst, silver
Aquamarine is a stone of travel that contains power of the sea. It is dichroic, appearing light blue or colorless. Its color can be enhanced by heat treatment. Aquamarine bead carved in leave shape are decorated with peridot, Swarovski crystal, or liquid silver in SN331, SN526, SN126, and SN054.	SN126-N*, 16.0in.,   $40.00 aquamarine, S. crystal	Green aventurine is called Indian jade. Fuchsite mica inclusions give green color. The large rough-cut beads are used in SN236 and SN336 decorated with peridot and aquamarine. The smaller rough-cut beads go well with Swarovski crystal.	SN093-N*, 15.0in.,   $45.00 aventurine, silver
apatite When apatite is cut correctly it is bright and strong color. Spanish apatite is often called “asparagus stone,” because of its yellowish green color as shown in SN229 necklace. White colored pearls bring out the brilliant color in the apatite.	SN229-N*, 17.0in.,   $50.00 apatite, silver	Azurite is an azure blue copper mineral. The sterling silver spacers accentuate the lustrous blue in the SN423.	SN423-N*, 19.0in.,   $60.00 azurite, silver
Bloodstone is an opaque, dark-green chalcedony with red spots. The red spots are caused by iron oxide. It is believed that it is a cleanser, for liver and kidneys. In SN523 carnelian spherical beads are used to accentuate its red spots and In SN525, pyrite is added for color contrast.	SN523-N*, 16.0in.,   $25.00 blood stone, carnelian	Carnelian is trans-lucent, reddish orange variety of chalcedony. It may be confused with heated agate. When held against the light, natural carnelian shows cloudy inclusion. SN288 presents two grades of colors. SN305 presents contrast colors of orange and green in peridot.	SN305-N*, 14.5in.,    $25.00 carnelian, peridot
Citrine is in the macro-crystalline quartz group. Its color varies from lemon yellow to golden yellow. It is believed that citrine releases joy and brings spiritual powers in the everyday world. Faceted citrine beads are decorated with rough-cut beads and/or crystal in 4 designs.	SN438-N*, 18.5in.,   $45.00 citrine, vermeil	Coral is an organic gemstone made up of the skeletal remains of marine animals called coral polyps. Red coral is the most valuable. All coral has vitreous luster when polished. It can be color enhanced. Imitated coral may be made of stained bone, ivory, or porcelain.	SN105-N*, 15.0in,.   $40.00 coral, silver
Emerald is the most valuable stone in the beryl group. The finest stones are transparent. The emerald beads in SN256 are clouded by inclusions. They are accompanied with a sapphire strand in SN408 and are decorated with Swarovski crystal in SN408.	SN256-N*, 15.0in.,   $34.00 emerald, S. crystal, vermeil	Fluorite comes in a wide range of colors. Patchy color distribution in one specimen makes it an interesting stone.	SN419-N*, 16.0in.,   $30.00 flourite, S. crystal
Garnet group is composed of differently colored minerals with similar crystal structure and related chemical composition. The reddish garnets are pyrope and almandine. They are usually opaque or sub-translucent. SN214 is comprised of 4 shapes of beads.	SN209-N*, 16.0in.,   $30 garnet, silver	Iolite has been called water sapphire because of it similarity to blue sapphire when its cut. The best blue color is seen down the length of prismatic crystals. They may appear colorless when viewed across. The facetted iolite drops are decorated with liquid silver and sterling silver beads.	SN343-N*, 16.0in.,   $45.00 iolite, silver
Jade usually refers to two types of tough and fine-grained stones, namely: jadeite and nephrite. A common way to identify jadeite is to scratch it on a piece of glass. Jadeite leaves a scratch mark on glass. The most desirable jadeite is in emerald-green color with chromium translucent to almost transparent.	SN250-N*, 18.0in.,   $36.00 new jade	Jasper is a fine-grained opaque variety of chalcedony. Ocean jaspers are displayed in SN371 and SN372. Leopard skin jaspers are displayed in SN521, SN514, and SN368. Jaspers in AN312, SN313, and SN314 are decorated in silver, moonstone, and agate for color contrast.	SN521-N*, 30.0in.,   $60.00 leopard skin jasper
Labradorite is the plagioclase feldspar commonly used in jewelry. It is a metamorphic and igneous rock in Labrador (Canada). The dark-gray labradorite beads are decorated with silver spacers in SN503 and SN510.	SN510-N*, 18.5in.,   $30.00 labradorite, sterling silver	Lapis lazuli is a blue rock made up of several different minerals. The best quality of lapis is in intense dark blue with minor patches of brassy yellow pyrite. The pendant in SN118 is from Afghanistan. SN078 is decorated with Vermeil spacers. SN196 is a strand with alternated lapis and lazulite.	SN196-N*, 19.0in.,   $65.00 lapis, homalite, Vermeil
Mother of pearl is organic. It is from the lining of pearl oysters shells. Mother of pearl may be in glossy off-white color as shown in SN184 (below), set 5 shells. In SN374 and SN377 the colorful shells add color contrast in the necklaces.	SN549-N*, 17.0in.,   $25.00 mother of pearl, pearl	Onyx is a type of chalcedony that has straight bands. It may be black or white. They are renown as excellent materials for inlay work. Imitation of onyx comes from processing agate. In SN153 and SN154, milky quartz brings color variation to the necklace.	SN153-N*, 19.0in.,    $70.00 onyx, milky quartz
Opal Opal is non-crystalline. There are two varieties of opal, namely: precious opal and common opal. Precious opal shows flashes of color. The common opal as shown is SN395 is opaque and yellowish as petrified wood.	SN542-N*, 20.5in.,   $45.00 opal, amber, amethyst	Pearls are formed in oysters as a natural defense against an irritant such as a piece of grit. Layers of nacre are secreted around the irritant and gradually build up to form the solid pearl. The quality of a pearl depends on the thickness of its coat, roundness, and color. Large black pearls are hard to find. All pearls in the designs are cultured.	SN160-N*, 14.0in.,    $40.00 pearl, silver
Peridot has an olive-green color that is due to the presence of iron. It has a vitreous and greasy luster. Three strands of peridot beads are decorated with colorful Swarovski crystal to celebrate Christmas in SN218. For color contrast in SN218, citrine is added.	SN188-N*, 17.0in.,    $40.00 peridot	Pietersite Sid Pieters discovered pietersite in Namibia in 1962. It is a variation of tiger and eagle’s eye. The best quality of pietersite has fascinating gold patchy inclusion in brown quartz. Pietersite is one of the best stones to help you focus.	SN420-N*, 18.0in.,   $50.00 peitersite, Vermeil
Pyrite is fire in Greek because it sparks when struck by hammer. It also called fool’s gold because of its brassy yellow color. The pyrite beads in SN013 and SN037 show inclusion of metallic spots.	SN037-N*, 15.0in.,   $40.00 pyrite, silver	Quartz is a group of minerals that has silica (SiO2) as its major component. Rose quartz is popular while the rutilated needles are fascinating. Colorful synthetic quartz may be created as shown in SN486, SN487, and SN481.	SN557-N*, 17.0in.,   $52.00 smoky quartz, S. crystal
Sapphire and ruby Sapphire and ruby are varieties of corundum. Red corundum is called ruby while all other color corundum is called sapphire. The color agent in the deep blue sapphire as shown in SN426 and SN411 is titanium.	SN555-N*, 17.0in.,   $80.00 faceted ruby, Vermeil	Sapphire and ruby Sapphire and ruby are varieties of corundum. Red corundum is called ruby while all other color corundum is called sapphire. The color agent in the deep blue sapphire as shown in SN426 and SN411 is titanium.	SN408-N*,17.5in.,   $100.00 sapphire, crystal
Turquoise has long prized for its intense color, which varies from sky blue to green. Pure blue colored turquoise is rare. It has a waxy luster. A negative change in color can occur when exposed to heat, light, household detergents. For color contrast white jade or silver spacer go well with turquoise.	SN413-N*, 19.0in.,    $50.00 turquoise, aquamarine	Seed bead ropes are weaved with silk thread starting from a ring of 9 seed beads. The rope is built up by adding one bead at every other bead of the previous ring. By changing the color and the types of beads a intrigue design will appear. By using 7 beads in a ring instead of 9 different designs can be achieved. For SN143, add Swarovski crystal at every other two beads.	SN168-N*, 17.5in.,     $30.00 Glass rope, silver caps
Lace pattern Lace pattern is built up using 4 wires. It is important to reduce the number of beads in the inner ropes to build a right curvature for fitting. To add sparkle in the necklace large vintage Swarovski crystal is added in the ropes as shown in SN340 and SN237. The SN155 design is built of six strands of seed beads to build a rope for the vintage crystal.	SN340-N*, 15.0in.,    $45.00 Vintage glass, glass	floral glass Various designed glass beads are used for color coordination as well as color contrast. The vintage glass beads in SN253 and SN254 change color from blue to lavender when it is in sunlight or in fluorescent light. The centered piece in SN325 is hand made to celebrate July 4.	SN067-N*, 16.0in.,    $35.00 floral glass, silver
Seed bead twist is composed of eight or nine strands of seed beads. The strands are bundled together and capped to a clasp. The strands look nicer when they are twisted. The necklace is so long that it wraps around the neck twice.	SN306-N*, 28.0in.,    $35.00 glass bundles, S. silver caps