NEENAH, Wis. (July 23, 2026) — The jewelry industry is facing a critical talent gap. The average master bench jeweler is over 60, retirement is approaching, and too few younger professionals are stepping in to fill their shoes. A new article in Rapaport Magazine examines that challenge, and how Jewelers Mutual is working to address it.
The piece highlights Jewelers Mutual's $10 million, 10-year alliance with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to strengthen bench jeweler education. The initiative includes scholarships, academic programming, technology and equipment upgrades, and hiring pathways that connect students to employers through internships, apprenticeships and mentorship.
Jennifer Markas, Jewelers Mutual's Head of Industry Relations and Impact Fund, is featured throughout, making the case that protecting the industry goes beyond insurance. "It means investing in the people who sustain it."
