IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
TrendsMar 03, 2016
A Century of Assurance
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company got its start when a group of retailers bonded over a common problem: no companies wanted to insure their businesses.
PHOTO The Wisconsin Insurance Department granted the charter for what then was called the Jewelers Mutual Limited Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin in 1913. In 1918, the company changed its name to the National Jewelers Mutual Fire Insurance Company to reflect its growth.
PHOTO The Wisconsin Insurance Department granted the charter for what then was called the Jewelers Mutual Limited Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin in 1913. In 1918, the company changed its name to the National Jewelers Mutual Fire Insurance Company to reflect its growth.
PHOTO Jewelers attend the 8th annual Wisconsin Retail Jewelers Association Convention in Milwaukee in 1913. It was around this time the retailers hatched the idea of starting their own mutual insurance company.
PHOTO Jewelers Mutual first operated out of the back of the Nelson-Anderson Jewelry Store.
Anderson was the secretary of both the Wisconsin Retail Jewelers Association and the American National Retail Jewelers Association (ANRJA.) The ANRJA eventually merged with National Credit Jewelers of America to form Retail Jewelers of America, which changed its name to Jewelers of America in 1980.
PHOTO After surviving the stock market crash of Oct. 29, 1929, Jewelers Mutual experienced two firsts in 1934, amid the Great Depression. The company hired its first agent and purchased its first office, which was in the historic downtown section of Neenah. Today, Jewelers Mutual has more than 200 independent agents and brokers in the U.S. and Canada.
PHOTO Now a staple at industry tradeshows nationwide, Jewelers Mutual employees attended their first trade show in 1945. This photo was taken during the company’s early years of trade show attendance.
PHOTO This photo from the 1950s shows the Jewelers Mutual staff at work.
PHOTO The company adopted its current name, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, in 1952, the same year this photo was taken.
PHOTO The following year, the company introduced personal jewelry insurance for customers. Today, it is called Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance.
PHOTO Jewelers Mutual moved into its current office space, located at 24 Jewelers Park Drive in Neenah, in 1980, later expanding the facility by 18,900 square feet.
PHOTO This photo provides a glimpse into the offices, and at the technology, of Jewelers Mutual in the 1980s.
PHOTO This 1980s-era advertisement for loss prevention materials from Jewelers Mutual shows the industry’s concerns haven’t changed that much over the years. The ad lists some familiar names as contributing to the film’s production: the now-defunct Diamond Promotion Services, which once functioned as the advertising arm of De Beers in the U.S., and the Jewelers’ Security Alliance.
PHOTO Former President and CEO Ron Harder, who helmed the company for 25 years, credits consistent attendance at trade shows with helping to turn the tide when it came to jewelers’ attitudes about insurance.
PHOTO Harder retired in 2007, 34 years after first joined Jewelers Mutual. The company’s public gallery, located at its Neenah headquarters, is named the R. Harder Gallery of Gems and Minerals in his honor.
PHOTO This aquamarine is one of the many gems and minerals on display in the Harder gallery. Retailer and Jewelers Mutual board member Cathy Calhoun likens visiting the gallery to being in the Smithsonian.“I am not kidding,” she says. “All the employees work around these gems so they are constantly reminded they are in the jewelry industry.”
PHOTO Jewelers Mutual hired its current CEO Copeman in 2009. At this year’s Women Jewelry Association Awards for Excellence gala, Copeman received the Ben Kaiser Award, which goes to a male member of the jewelry industry who shows extraordinary support for women.
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company got its start when a group of retailers bonded over a common problem: no companies wanted to insure their businesses.
One hundred years later, the company has expanded to provide coverage for thousands of jewelers and individuals across the United States and Canada.
Click through this slideshow to see 100 years of history in photos, beginning with the very meeting around which the organization formed in 1913.
The Wisconsin Insurance Department granted the charter for what then was called the Jewelers Mutual Limited Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin in 1913. In 1918, the company changed its name to the National Jewelers Mutual Fire Insurance Company to reflect its growth.
Jewelers attend the 8th annual Wisconsin Retail Jewelers Association Convention in Milwaukee in 1913. It was around this time the retailers hatched the idea of starting their own mutual insurance company.
Jewelers Mutual first operated out of the back of the Nelson-Anderson Jewelry Store.
Anderson was the secretary of both the Wisconsin Retail Jewelers Association and the American National Retail Jewelers Association (ANRJA.) The ANRJA eventually merged with National Credit Jewelers of America to form Retail Jewelers of America, which changed its name to Jewelers of America in 1980.
After surviving the stock market crash of Oct. 29, 1929, Jewelers Mutual experienced two firsts in 1934, amid the Great Depression. The company hired its first agent and purchased its first office, which was in the historic downtown section of Neenah. Today, Jewelers Mutual has more than 200 independent agents and brokers in the U.S. and Canada.
Now a staple at industry tradeshows nationwide, Jewelers Mutual employees attended their first trade show in 1945. This photo was taken during the company’s early years of trade show attendance.
This photo from the 1950s shows the Jewelers Mutual staff at work.
The company adopted its current name, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, in 1952, the same year this photo was taken.
The following year, the company introduced personal jewelry insurance for customers. Today, it is called Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance.
Jewelers Mutual moved into its current office space, located at 24 Jewelers Park Drive in Neenah, in 1980, later expanding the facility by 18,900 square feet.
This photo provides a glimpse into the offices, and at the technology, of Jewelers Mutual in the 1980s.
This 1980s-era advertisement for loss prevention materials from Jewelers Mutual shows the industry’s concerns haven’t changed that much over the years. The ad lists some familiar names as contributing to the film’s production: the now-defunct Diamond Promotion Services, which once functioned as the advertising arm of De Beers in the U.S., and the Jewelers’ Security Alliance.
Former President and CEO Ron Harder, who helmed the company for 25 years, credits consistent attendance at trade shows with helping to turn the tide when it came to jewelers’ attitudes about insurance.
Harder retired in 2007, 34 years after first joined Jewelers Mutual. The company’s public gallery, located at its Neenah headquarters, is named the R. Harder Gallery of Gems and Minerals in his honor.
This aquamarine is one of the many gems and minerals on display in the Harder gallery. Retailer and Jewelers Mutual board member Cathy Calhoun likens visiting the gallery to being in the Smithsonian.“I am not kidding,” she says. “All the employees work around these gems so they are constantly reminded they are in the jewelry industry.”
Jewelers Mutual hired its current CEO Copeman in 2009. At this year’s Women Jewelry Association Awards for Excellence gala, Copeman received the Ben Kaiser Award, which goes to a male member of the jewelry industry who shows extraordinary support for women.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Trends
The Latest
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
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.
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.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
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.
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.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
