The Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. and American Gem Society (AGS) have announced a long-term partnership that is the first of its kind for both the organizations.

An exclusive insurance endorsement from the AGS is provided in the partnership to the Jewelers Mutual.Jewelers Mutual, in turn, will serve as presenting sponsor of the AGS Conclave, the premier educational event for the jewelry industry.The sponsorship ensures ongoing support for the event beginning with the 2009 Conclave, to be conducted in Chicago from April 1-4.

AGS members too gets lots of oppurtunities through this partnership.Society members can order Jewelers Mutual supplies for free, and with no shipping fees, to make the company's Personal Jewelry Insurance program available to their customers.Member retail jewelers,even those not yet insured through Jewelers Mutual can take JM University courses at no cost.

Patti Geolat, Jewelers Mutual board chair, interim president and CEO, said in a media release that "Jewelers Mutual is so excited about this opportunity to partner with such an important industry association that shares our mission and values.This is a unique arrangement for both of our organizations, and we look forward to aligning our efforts to continue providing superior service to the jewelry industry."

A press conference is being held at the AGTA GemFair in Tucson, Ariz. The press conference will be held at the AGS booth, No. 17, on Feb. 6 at 12:00 p.m.

For more information, contact the AGS' Ruth Batson at rbatson@ags.orgor (866) 805-6500 ext. 1007, or Jewelers Mutual's Patrick Drummond at pdrummon@jminsure.com or (800) 558-6411.