Underwood’s Appoints Michael Richards as President
Clayton Bromberg will remain as chairman of the Florida jeweler.

Clayton Bromberg, a sixth-generation jeweler who has served as chairman and president since 1988, has transitioned to chairman, passing the president title to Michael Richards.
Bromberg’s time at Underwood’s “has been marked by exceptional growth and a steadfast commitment to quality and customer service,” said the company.
As chairman, Bromberg will remain active in the business, including in the areas of strategic direction, merchandising, diamond buying, and inventory procurement.
In Richards’ new role as president, he will be tasked with managing the daily operations as well as the overall corporate culture, vision, and operational functions.
Richards joined Underwood’s as a store manager more than 30 years ago.
His jewelry career began in high school, working at Harper’s Jewelry while taking classes at the Gemological Institute of America.
After high school, he worked at T. K. Dodrill Jewelers and earned a business management degree at Marshall University.
He joined Underwood’s in 1990 as a store manager, earning the title of Certified Gemologist in 1991.
In 2008, Richards was promoted to vice president, and then in 2018, to chief operating officer.
He has held notable roles in the jewelry industry, including vice president of the Jeweler Vigilance Committee and president of the American Gem Society Board from 2020 to 2022.
“In the past three decades, Michael’s expertise and passion for the jewelry industry, along with his achievements in leadership outside of the business, make him the ideal leader for Underwood’s,” said Bromberg.
Richards took a more active role in the business in 2020, said Bromberg, adding it was a natural progression to name him president.
“I am very proud of the leader he has become and look forward to seeing the company continue to thrive under his direction,” said Bromberg.
Richards shared his excitement to take on the new role.
“I am honored to step into the role of president and continue the legacy of excellence that Underwood’s is known for,” he said.
“Our commitment to quality in materials, craftsmanship, design, presentation, education, and service will remain our guiding principles as we move forward.”
Richards lauded Bromberg’s dedication to the business and their customers, as well as his role as a mentor to Richards and other staff members, describing him as “a respected figure in the industry and a pillar in our community.”
Underwood Jewelers was founded in 1928 in Palatka, Florida by Herbert F. Underwood.
He would later sell the business to family jeweler Bromberg and Company in 1974, who founded its own store in Alabama in 1836. It now operates three stores in Florida.
Underwood worked alongside Frank Bromberg on the day-to-day operations, transitioning to a part time basis in 1980 until his death in 1999, helping to train Clayton Bromberg.
Bromberg has played an active role in the jewelry industry throughout his career, serving as the president of the American Gem Society from 1995 to 1997 and on various boards, including Jewelers of America, AGS, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and the Florida Jewelers Association.
He has been honored with the American Gem Society Robert M. Shipley Award in 2004, the American Gem Society Triple Zero Award in 2013, and the Women’s Jewelry Association Ben Kaiser Award in 2015.
Bromberg was also inducted into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame in 2003.
"As we look ahead to the next 10 years and embark on this new chapter, I am excited about the opportunities ahead for Underwood’s," said Bromberg.
"We will continue to innovate while staying true to the principles that have made us a trusted name in jewelry for nearly a century.
The Latest

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.


The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.