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CIRCA co-founder innovates jewelry industry

Chris Del Gatto Interview

Chris Del Gatto, co-founder, chairman and CEO of CIRCA, said he enjoys working in a business where he can change the way the public views the jewelry industry.

CIRCA is the leading global buyer of find jewelry, diamonds and watches from the public, according to their corporate profile. They are the only luxury brand in the jewelry buying business that provides a cautious, dependable and devoted quality service to their clients.

"Jewelry is one of the only areas where you leave something in a vault with no intention of giving it away or someone or selling it," he said. "Every diamond sold back is one less that has to be mined and that's a conversation we want to introduce to the world."

CIRCA is committed to promoting sustainability by reducing the environmental impact of mining for gemstones and precious metals.

Founded in 2001 by Del Gatto and Co-Founder Jeffrey Singer in New York, CIRCA currently has eight offices open worldwide and four opening in the next three months as well as others opening next year.

At the age of 17, Del Gatto became a licensed gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America and was a diamond cutter in Manhattan's Diamond District by 18 as well as a partner in a diamond-cutting facility by 20.

"I've always loved the beauty and being able to hold something so tactile," Del Gatto said. "I love the idea and ability of working with something that is literally a part of art and I also love the history, which is important, in dealing with historical elements. I love that it's so creative."

CIRCA has about 15-25 clients per office per day and each average transaction is very high. No appointment is necessary and each process may take anywhere between 15-45 minutes.

"You come in and sit in a waiting room and then are ushered into a beautiful private room where a buyer will look at your jewels and tell you what they would pay for the price," Del Gatto said. "If the client accepts, the buyer writes a check right then and there. Part of what we give the client is our knowledge and expertise and a single buyer at CIRCA can create around $20 million USD in turnover in a year."

Outside of work, Del Gatto enjoys playing polo and when CIRCA began sponsoring polo teams and tournaments in 2004, his hobby increased and eventually became another passion.

Del Gatto brings the same dynamic eagerness, inquisitiveness and competitiveness to polo as he does to business. He participates in tournaments on The Hamptons, Palm Beach and Argentine Polo circuits.

More information: www.circajewels.com