SOUTHWEST ALASKA -- The nation's second-largest jewelry retailer on Tuesday joined the opposition to development of a gold and copper prospect in Southwest Alaska.

Zale Corp. said it will boycot precious metals from the Pebble prospect if it becomes a mine. Zale also said it supports permanently protecting the Bristol Bay watershed from large-scale metals mining. Pebble is situated near the headwaters of two of Bristol Bay's salmon-spawning rivers. Five Bristol Bay rivers collectively support the world's largest wild-sockeye salmon fishery.

The Texas-based jewelry giant has 1,930 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Conservation group Earthworks and partners have now enlisted more than 30 jewelers to oppose Pebble development.

Canada's Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. and London-based Anglo American have formed the Pebble Partnership to work the Pebble prospect. John Shively, chief executive of the partnership, said Zale coming out against Pebble is nothing more than a meaningless publicity stunt.

"It is pretty easy for a company to come out against buying gold that doesn't exist at this point," he said. "We are years away from construction. The people managing that company now will probably be gone. Big deal."

The partnership hopes to finish a prefeasibility study this year in preparation for filing for development permits in 2011.