Colored Gemstone Dealer Tim Roark Dies

By Rob Bates | May 14, 2025

Tim Roark, a prominent wholesaler of colored stones who was a board member of several industry groups, died on April 28. He was 82.

Following his graduation from Yale University in 1965, Roark joined the U.S. Navy and saw combat during the Vietnam War. After leaving the service, he sold mutual funds and other securities for International Overseas Services in Africa.

There, he developed contacts with several miners, craftspeople, and artisans who offered contemporary African artifacts such as shields, statues, spears, elephant-hair jewelry, beads, and gems, including malachite.

Roark returned to the U.S. in the early 1970s, settling in Atlanta and starting a business selling African objects and raw-cut malachite. He and his then-wife, Nita, formed an import company, Tim Roark Inc., which they originally operated out of their home. Their focus soon shifted to gems—particularly malachite and lapis lazuli—as they were easier to transport than the other items they’d sold.

Roark was a well-known fixture at the Tucson gem shows. He also served on the boards of the American Gem Trade Association, the International Colored Gemstone Association, and the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association.

After Roark and his wife separated in the 1980s, he recruited Malinda Daniel, who became his co-director and a full partner in Tim Roark Inc. Daniel took over the business when complications from a hip operation sent Roark into an assisted living facility in 2020. She will continue to head it going forward.

“Tim loved his work and was proud of the business he built,” said a company statement. “He was known to fawn over his ‘beauties.’ He considered himself lucky to have international travel as part of his business. He loved experiencing different cultures and most of his business relations led to some friendships.”

Roark is survived by his son, Devin, and sister, Pati.

(Photo courtesy of Tim Roark Inc.)