Yao Jiang joined CIRCA in 2024 as a Senior Buyer for CIRCA San Francisco & Palo Alto. With a background spanning auction leadership and fine jewelry and watch resale, she brings deep expertise in gemstones, design, and brand heritage. Yao combines her knowledge and expertise with strategic market insight to offer trusted guidance in the evaluation and acquisition of exceptional jewelry and timepieces. Prior to joining CIRCA, Yao led the Fine Jewelry and Timepieces department at a leading regional auction house in the Bay Area, directing multimillion-dollar annual sales and serving as lead jewelry auctioneer. Her experience in authentication, cataloguing, and strategic pricing has shaped her disciplined and well-informed perspective on the jewelry market. Drawn to the craftsmanship and cultural significance behind fine jewels, Yao approaches each piece with analytical rigor and a genuine appreciation for design and heritage. She believes that exceptional jewelry transcends time, carrying the artistry of the past while continuing to resonate and shine in the modern world. Yao received her Graduate Gemologist Designation from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). She also holds a Master of Arts in Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, with studies in Art History, from Peking University. She is bilingual in English and Mandarin.