Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardMajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and Design
A 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
Jewelers Mutual’s $10 million donation to the Savannah College of Art and Design is the most substantial financial contribution to the college’s jewelry program to date, said Jewelers Mutual.
Neenah. Wisc.—Jewelers Mutual Group (JM) has partnered with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to support bench jeweler education through a $10 million donation and a 10-year alliance.
The industry-academic collaboration will focus on developing the next generation of jewelry artisans and innovators through the most substantial financial contribution to date for SCAD’s jewelry program, said JM.
The two are addressing the critical replacement shortage of bench jewelers as retirements are outpacing new talent, and an estimated 4,000 jewelers are needed annually to maintain capacity, said JM.
According to a recent workforce study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, more than 70 percent of jewelers plan to hire bench jewelers and struggle to find qualified candidates.
The collaboration aims to address the gap by aligning education with real-world techniques, tools, and training needed to prepare the next generation of bench jewelers.
“Supporting the future of the jewelry industry means investing in the people who will sustain it,” said Scott Murphy, chief executive officer at JM.
“We are committed to helping close the bench jeweler talent gap by supporting education that prepares students for real-world careers and strengthens the industry for generations to come.”
Over the next decade, the $10 million will support several key initiatives to address the shortage of bench jeweler talent in the industry, including scholarships, enhanced academic programming, and updates to jewelry-making technology and equipment, as well as a naming gift to SCAD’s jewelry building.
Scholarship opportunities will be expanded through the Bench Education Endowment scholarship—supported by both JM’s Impact Fund and industry donors—to attract and serve more students pursuing bench jeweler careers.
The endowment, shortened to B.E.E., is also a nod to SCAD’s bee mascot.
There will also be collaborations with industry organizations to enhance and complement existing jewelry program offerings and an ongoing dialogue between industry leaders and SCAD faculty to ensure training reflects current commercial techniques and technologies.
Students will also be given the opportunity to connect with retailers, manufacturers, and designers through internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, and hiring.
Overall, the program encourages early industry engagement to boost interest, highlight career options, and ease the move from education to employment, said JM.
Related stories will be right here …
The industry-academic collaboration will focus on developing the next generation of jewelry artisans and innovators through the most substantial financial contribution to date for SCAD’s jewelry program, said JM.
The two are addressing the critical replacement shortage of bench jewelers as retirements are outpacing new talent, and an estimated 4,000 jewelers are needed annually to maintain capacity, said JM.
According to a recent workforce study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, more than 70 percent of jewelers plan to hire bench jewelers and struggle to find qualified candidates.
The collaboration aims to address the gap by aligning education with real-world techniques, tools, and training needed to prepare the next generation of bench jewelers.
“Supporting the future of the jewelry industry means investing in the people who will sustain it,” said Scott Murphy, chief executive officer at JM.
“We are committed to helping close the bench jeweler talent gap by supporting education that prepares students for real-world careers and strengthens the industry for generations to come.”
Over the next decade, the $10 million will support several key initiatives to address the shortage of bench jeweler talent in the industry, including scholarships, enhanced academic programming, and updates to jewelry-making technology and equipment, as well as a naming gift to SCAD’s jewelry building.
Scholarship opportunities will be expanded through the Bench Education Endowment scholarship—supported by both JM’s Impact Fund and industry donors—to attract and serve more students pursuing bench jeweler careers.
The endowment, shortened to B.E.E., is also a nod to SCAD’s bee mascot.
There will also be collaborations with industry organizations to enhance and complement existing jewelry program offerings and an ongoing dialogue between industry leaders and SCAD faculty to ensure training reflects current commercial techniques and technologies.
Students will also be given the opportunity to connect with retailers, manufacturers, and designers through internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, and hiring.
Overall, the program encourages early industry engagement to boost interest, highlight career options, and ease the move from education to employment, said JM.
SCAD’s jewelry program is recognized as the largest and most comprehensive in North America, said JM.
The curriculum fuses the techniques of masterful bench craftsmanship and modern digital design to provide students with an immersive, hands-on education in every facet of jewelry creation.
Alumni from the program have gone to hold senior design and leadership positions at brands including Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, LVMH, John Hardy, Swarovski, and Kendra Scott.
JM said the goal of the alliance is to double SCAD’s jewelry program enrollment by 2030.
“The future of jewelry just got brighter, thanks to this historic partnership between SCAD and Jewelers Mutual, which promises to transform the lives of so many Bees—and the entire jewelry profession, now growing four times faster than any other luxury sector,” said Paula Wallace, president and founder of SCAD.
“The biggest and best jewelry design program on the planet is now even better: with more elite resources and scholarships and more SCAD brilliance in the talent pipeline. The jewelry industry is in very good hands!”
JM’s Impact Fund was established to support the jewelry industry and the communities where employees live and work through targeted initiatives and impact investments by intentionally investing in education, innovation, and workforce development, it said.
Visit JM’s website to learn more about its Impact Fund.
To learn more about ways to support bench jeweler education, visit SCAD’s website here and here to learn about its jewelry program.
The Latest
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
