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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
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.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
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.
SourcingJun 05, 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.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
