MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
IndependentsMay 16, 2018
Florida Jeweler Bob Dubose Dies at 90
He was the third of five generations to work at his family’s jewelry store in Vero Beach.
Vero Beach, Fla.--Jeweler Robert “Bob” Dubose of Vero Beach, Florida jewelry store Dubose & Sons Jewelers died May 3 at the age of 90.
He was part of a long familial legacy in the jewelry industry, representing the third of five generations to work at the family store.
DuBose joined the business in 1946 after serving in the U.S. Navy, his son Mike Dubose told National Jeweler.
He attended Bradley University in Illinois to study jewelry and watch repairs, hand-engraving and business.
“Dad just enjoyed the business,” Mike said. “He went to school to do the watch repair and jewelry repair but he looked at it like he was more of a businessman (who) wanted to learn the whole business so he could manage his employees.”
The elder Dubose was involved in his community beyond just being the local jeweler.
Mike explained, “He also was on the city council, school board and fire department for 40 years. He was very community active.”
A strong and diverse work ethic seems to run in the family.
Mike’s grandfather, JC Dubose, founded the store in 1911 in Fort Pierce, Florida, which neighbors Vero Beach.
“He was doing watch repair prior to 1907 in Lake City,” said Mike Dubose. “His wife got sick and from that point on, he wanted to become a preacher. He did the jewelry and watch repair while he was going to school to be a preacher and that’s when he ran across Fort Pierce, which needed a preacher.
“In 1911 he did watch repair out of a dry goods store in Fort Pierce and did the preaching on the weekends.”
The preacher/jeweler’s interests didn’t end there. When his son Oscar (Bob’s father) finished serving in the Navy, he took over the store at age 24 or 25 so JC Dubose could work as an eye doctor.
“JC still worked in the store but he was one of the first eye doctors here in Florida,” Mike said.
Through the years, Dubose & Sons Jewelers, which has had slight variations to the store name over its century-plus in business, boasted as many as seven store locations in Florida.
When Bob decided to retire in the 1990s he shut down the stores, but Mike reopened one location in Vero Beach.
Bob ended up coming back to work for his son.
“He was in the jewelry store up until
approximately a year before he passed,” Mike said. “He enjoyed himself. He had a full life. He was very active up until he passed away.”
Mike said his father used to enjoy watching the L.A. Dodgers play baseball when they were spring training in the area, taking a charter bus to watch all their games.
Today, Mike is operating the family business with his son Todd, who represents the fifth generation in the family business.
JC Dubose was one of the pioneers of Vero Beach, living there when the city only had 40 inhabitants.
In a full-circle moment, the Duboses were honored for their long-standing contributions to the city earlier this year.
“We were voted as pioneer family for the county,” said Mike. “My father passed away about a week after we had the pioneer day.”
Bob Dubose’s obituary can be found on TCPalm.com.
Mike said his father used to enjoy watching the L.A. Dodgers play baseball when they were spring training in the area, taking a charter bus to watch all their games.
Today, Mike is operating the family business with his son Todd, who represents the fifth generation in the family business.
JC Dubose was one of the pioneers of Vero Beach, living there when the city only had 40 inhabitants.
In a full-circle moment, the Duboses were honored for their long-standing contributions to the city earlier this year.
“We were voted as pioneer family for the county,” said Mike. “My father passed away about a week after we had the pioneer day.”
Bob Dubose’s obituary can be found on TCPalm.com.
More on Independents
The Latest
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
