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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
