Jewelers Mutual Invests $10 Million in SCAD Bench-Jeweler Education

Jewelers Mutual Group announced a $10 million, 10-year commitment to the Savannah College of Art and Design to bolster bench-jeweler education across North America, funding scholarships, upgraded technology, expanded facilities, and stronger industry connections. The company framed the move as a long-term workforce investment designed to produce “commercial-ready” graduates and to double SCAD’s jewelry program enrollment by 2030.

The gift establishes the Bench Education Endowment, or B.E.E., under the Jewelers Mutual Endowed Scholarship Fund and will support a yearly scholarship program as well as curriculum development and academic program enhancements. Funding will also pay for modern jewelry-making technology and equipment to bring traditional bench skills and digital design training closer together in SCAD’s School of Fashion, which is described as the largest and most comprehensive jewelry program in North America.

Beyond campus upgrades, the partnership targets the jewelry sector’s labor pipeline. Jewelers Mutual and SCAD intend the investment to expand job opportunities and strengthen links between graduates and retailers, manufacturers, and designers. FashionUnited reported that the agreement includes a naming gift to SCAD’s jewelry building; that naming detail has been included in the announcement materials circulating with the news.

Industry context provided alongside the announcement underlines an acute bench-jeweler shortage. FashionUnited cited an estimate that about 4,000 bench jewelers are needed annually to maintain capacity, and noted retirements are outpacing new entrants into the craft. Jewelers Mutual described the initiative as aligned with its broader workforce development strategy through an Impact Fund; PR Newswire characterized the commitment as an “impact investment,” while other coverage used the language of a donation or investment.

Scott Murphy, CEO of Jewelers Mutual, framed the commitment in workforce terms: “Supporting the future of the jewelry industry means investing in the people who will sustain it. 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.” Paula Wallace, SCAD president and founder, emphasized scale and urgency: “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. 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!”

The announcement was distributed via PR Newswire from Neenah, Wisconsin, on Feb. 25, 2026. Photographic materials accompanying coverage were credited as “Jewelry making at Savannah College of Art and Design,” with image credit to Jewelers Mutual (PRNewsfoto/Jewelers Mutual Group). Jewelers Mutual, founded in 1913 and headquartered in Neenah, WI, described the gift as the most substantial financial contribution yet to SCAD’s jewelry program, and both partners say the next decade will focus on translating the funding into trained bench talent and expanded program capacity by 2030.