MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
IndependentsJun 06, 2019
Longtime Retailer Frank Bromberg Jr. Dies at 87
The fifth generation to join the family business, Bromberg was known for being outgoing, compassionate and putting others first.
Frank H. Bromberg Jr., the fifth generation to join the Bromberg family business, died June 4 at the age of 87. He was described as a philanthropic, compassionate, dependable and honest man who improved the lives of many through his friendship.
Jacksonville, Fla.—Frank H. Bromberg Jr., a fifth-generation jeweler, died June 4 in Cashiers, North Carolina.
He was 87 years old.
Bromberg was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1931 to Frank Hardy Bromberg Sr. and Annie Maude Wilkinson Bromberg.
He received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Business at the University of Alabama, where he graduated summa cum laude, and went on to get his master’s in retailing from New York University.
Bromberg served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force after graduation, spending two years as a base exchange officer at Dreux Air Force Base in France.
After the military, he joined the family jewelry business—Bromberg & Co., founded in 1836—as the fifth generation of family management, eventually becoming its president and chairman of the board.
In 1974, Herb Underwood sold his multi-store business, Underwood Jewelers, to the Bromberg family, adding to the company’s lineup of locations.
Today, the family runs jewelry stores in Alabama and Florida, with sons Frederick “Ricky” Wilkinson Bromberg serving as president of Bromberg & Co. and Clayton Bromberg as president of Underwood Jewelers.
Frank Bromberg met his wife, Lella Clayton Bromberg, in high school, and the two were married for almost 65 years.
He held a number of leadership positions throughout his life, including past president of Jewelers of America and the American Gem Society, the latter of which awarded Bromberg with its prestigious Robert M. Shipley Award.
He also served as a member of the board of trustees of the University of Alabama, past president of the Crippled Children’s Foundation, past senior warden and past treasurer of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham.
Outside of work, Bromberg enjoyed playing golf and tennis, and watching Alabama football and basketball. He also loved spending time at the family mountain house in Cashiers.
The Brombergs said their patriarch was “an exceptional person because he had a servant’s heart,” always putting others before himself.
Bromberg was well-liked among his peers, and he remained humble throughout his life, his family said, devoting his time to family, faith, the jewelry business and the University of Alabama.
He is survived by his wife, Lella, and four children—Frank Hardy Bromberg III; C. Clayton Bromberg (Christy); Ricky Bromberg (Nancy); and Lella Bromberg Wilbanks (Bruce)—as well as seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by grandchildren Virginia McMillian
Bromberg, Elizabeth Bromberg Wilbanks and Zoë Proferis Bromberg.
Bromberg’s memorial service is scheduled to take place Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, with visitation immediately following the service.
Memorials in his honor may be directed to: The Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 6th Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 35203; The Crippled Children’s Foundation, 2019 4th Ave. North, Ste. 101, Birmingham, AL 35203; and The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business Department of Marketing, The University of Alabama, Box 870101, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
Bromberg’s memorial service is scheduled to take place Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, with visitation immediately following the service.
Memorials in his honor may be directed to: The Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 6th Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 35203; The Crippled Children’s Foundation, 2019 4th Ave. North, Ste. 101, Birmingham, AL 35203; and The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business Department of Marketing, The University of Alabama, Box 870101, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
