CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
OtherFeb 08, 2015
Oklahoma jeweler BC Clark Jr. dies at 101
Benton Clyde Clark Jr., a pioneer in the industry who was known for his uncompromising integrity and humble spirit, died Wednesday at the age of 101.
Oklahoma City--Benton Clyde Clark Jr., a pioneer in the industry who worked into his 90s and was known for his uncompromising integrity, died Wednesday at the age of 101.
The man known as B.C. Clark Jr. was born April 4, 1913 in Purcell, Okla.
He met the “love of his life,” Ruth Carroll, while a student at Oklahoma City University. The pair were married on Leap Day in 1936 and stayed together for 59 years until her death in 1995.
He wed again a couple of years later, marrying Jeroldine Zachritz. The pair stayed together for 11 years, until her death in 2008.
Like so many of his generation, Clark served in the military during World War II, in the Navy as a gunnery.
After the war, he returned to his “first love,” the jewelry business that his father B.C. Clark Sr. opened in 1892. He worked in his family’s Oklahoma City jewelry store, BC Clark Jewelers, until his early 90s, last serving as chairman emeritus of B.C. Clark Inc.
In addition to his work at the store, Clark, who was known for his humble spirit, also gave back to his community through his involvement in civic and church-related work.
He created endowment funds at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and established the B.C. Clark Jr. Chair endowment fund at his alma mater’s school of business, Meinders.
He was president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Retailers Association, the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Retail Jewelers Association and the Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America, where he established another endowment fund, the “Go To Camp” fund.
Clark also was a past regional vice president of Jewelers of America.
Among his many honors are the Pathmaker Award from the Oklahoma County Historical Society, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Jewelers Association and an honorary doctorate of commercial science from Oklahoma City University.
He was a long-time member of the Fortune Club, Men’s Dinner Club, the Quail Creek Golf and Country Club and was a founding member of May Avenue United Methodist Church and a devoted member of Nichols Hills United Methodist Church.
Clark was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth; his second wife Jeroldine; parents Flora and B.C. Clark Sr.; a daughter-in-law, Johanna Clark; and five sisters: Vera Evans, Mary Lee Clark,
Floreta Tomlin, Clara Mae Stuhr and Sally Langston.
He is survived by two sons, Dr. Benton C. Clark II and Jim C. Clark and his wife Carolyn; and seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Services took place Saturday at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scouts of America Last Frontier Council, 3031 N. W. 64th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73116.
More on Other
The Latest
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
