WatchesJul 15, 2022
Diane James Joins WatchBox as Director of Strategic BrandsIndependentsJul 19, 2022
Jocalio Appoints Industry Veteran as Head of Product and Merchandising
Yun Yang is a David Yurman, Lightbox, and John Hardy alumna.
Yun Yang has 20 years of experience in merchandising and buying for jewelry companies like David Yurman.
New York—Jewelry supplier Jocalio has appointed Yun Yang as its head of product and merchandising.
Yang is a retail veteran with two decades of experience in merchandising and buying.
She has held positions at David Yurman, John Hardy, Lightbox, Diane von Furstenberg, and Vera Wang, and is an expert in the domestic market as well as in international markets including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
At Lightbox Jewelry, Yang served as chief merchandising officer. She oversaw the DeBeers-owned lab-grown diamond company’s launch and spearheaded strategy across merchandising, design, product development, and demand planning.
At David Yurman and John Hardy, Yang oversaw merchandising and buying. At both companies she increased sales in the men’s collections and managed the women’s and bridal collections.
She collaborated with design teams to streamline product offerings at the retail and wholesale levels.
Launched in 2017, Jocalio is a jewelry supplier that offers consumer marketing for the independent jewelry retailer.
The company designs jewelry collections based on market trend analysis and matching a store’s customer demographics.
Design based on data and analytics resonated with Yang, she said.
“My practice motto is, ‘I use data to support and initiate my creative decisions.’ And when I met the Jocalio team, I thought, ‘What a breath of fresh air—someone is finally utilizing data when creating collections!’”
Jocalio Founder and CEO Val Katayev said, “Yun’s addition to the Jocalio team marks yet another milestone in our company development. With Yun leading the product and merchandising team, we continue to elevate our ability to empower independent jewelers through a unique blend of design and data that drives our company. It’s all about jewelry that looks amazing yet is also made to turn effectively.”
Jocalio was ranked No. 134 on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America list in 2021 and was the highest-ranked jewelry company on the list.
Related stories will be right here …
Yang is a retail veteran with two decades of experience in merchandising and buying.
She has held positions at David Yurman, John Hardy, Lightbox, Diane von Furstenberg, and Vera Wang, and is an expert in the domestic market as well as in international markets including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
At Lightbox Jewelry, Yang served as chief merchandising officer. She oversaw the DeBeers-owned lab-grown diamond company’s launch and spearheaded strategy across merchandising, design, product development, and demand planning.
At David Yurman and John Hardy, Yang oversaw merchandising and buying. At both companies she increased sales in the men’s collections and managed the women’s and bridal collections.
She collaborated with design teams to streamline product offerings at the retail and wholesale levels.
Launched in 2017, Jocalio is a jewelry supplier that offers consumer marketing for the independent jewelry retailer.
The company designs jewelry collections based on market trend analysis and matching a store’s customer demographics.
Design based on data and analytics resonated with Yang, she said.
“My practice motto is, ‘I use data to support and initiate my creative decisions.’ And when I met the Jocalio team, I thought, ‘What a breath of fresh air—someone is finally utilizing data when creating collections!’”
Jocalio Founder and CEO Val Katayev said, “Yun’s addition to the Jocalio team marks yet another milestone in our company development. With Yun leading the product and merchandising team, we continue to elevate our ability to empower independent jewelers through a unique blend of design and data that drives our company. It’s all about jewelry that looks amazing yet is also made to turn effectively.”
Jocalio was ranked No. 134 on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America list in 2021 and was the highest-ranked jewelry company on the list.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
