At age 21, Keith Leclerc left Massachusetts and moved to Clearwater with little more than ambition and an interest in precious metals.
That decision would lead to the founding of International Diamond Center, now one of the largest independent jewelry retailers in the United States.
More than three decades later, the company’s story is entering a new chapter, one defined not by expansion alone, but by succession.
While Leclerc remains chief executive officer and president, the next generation is already deeply embedded in the business.
That leadership team includes his son, Brian Leclerc, and his sons-in-law, Brian Stamey and Chad Masters.
Together, they are shaping the future of a family company built on trust, discipline and long-term relationships.
From $600 to a national jewelry business
Leclerc opened the first International Diamond Center location in Clearwater in 1990 after investing $600 in eight gold chains.
Today, IDC operates 12 stores across Florida, including locations in Clearwater and Orlando, and generates more than $100M in annual revenue.
The company buys and sells across categories that include diamond engagement rings, diamond wedding bands, gold chains, Cuban link necklaces and luxury timepieces such as used Rolex watches.
Its inventory also spans diamond hoop earrings, diamond tennis bracelets and diamond pendant necklaces, reflecting a high-volume business model centered on value and trust.
Despite that growth, Leclerc has remained intentionally hands-on, gradually preparing the next generation to lead rather than rushing a transition.
Brian Leclerc’s path from baseball to diamonds
Brian Leclerc grew up around the family business but did not initially see himself in it.
A standout baseball player at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, he pursued athletics with the goal of playing professionally.
After being drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles, Leclerc chose instead to attend the University of Florida, where he started all four years with the Gators.
He later played two seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization before a concussion ended his baseball career.
“I came back home, finished school and my dad gave me a lot of grace to let me see what I wanted to do next,” Leclerc said.
That next chapter began with IDC buying events, where he traveled alongside the team, learning the business from the ground up.
“I didn’t know anything yet,” he said. “My dad said, ‘You’re a smart kid. You graduated from the University of Florida. You’ll be fine.’ I was very nervous.”
Leclerc attended Coin Grading School and joined the company without pay.
“That was the deal,” he said. “I didn’t want anyone to label me as a silver spoon protege.”
Early confidence quickly met reality.
“I was very arrogant,” Leclerc said. “I had to get humbled time and time again.”
Over nearly a decade, responsibility followed effort. Eventually, Leclerc earned the trust to make independent buying decisions and contribute strategically to the company’s growth.
One of his most significant contributions has been expanding IDC’s presence in the luxury watch category. Today, the company carries between 700 and 800 timepieces across its stores.
Brian Stamey and building the business behind the scenes
Brian Stamey joined International Diamond Center in 2010 and now serves as vice president of marketing and operations.
Raised in Winter Haven, Stamey attended Berry College before transferring to the University of Central Florida.
Though he describes himself as a “die-hard Gator fan,” UCF proved pivotal. It was at a church in Orlando where he met his wife, Ashley Leclerc.
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Keith Leclerc offered Stamey a role at IDC multiple times. Each time, Stamey declined.
“I had my own dreams and aspirations,” Stamey said.
That changed in 2008 after Keith experienced a health scare that required open-heart surgery.
“When he recovered, he called me,” Stamey recalled. “‘I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. Come learn the business.’”
Stamey started in the coin-buying department, learning fundamentals before gradually taking on more responsibility.
“I saw early on that Keith’s strengths were in buying and selling,” he said. “The more I could take the minutia off his plate, the more the business could grow.”
In 2014, Stamey helped lead a companywide rebrand known internally as “IDC 2.0,” sharpening how the business communicated its value to customers.
“Keith built the business wholesale,” Stamey said. “He’s not a marketer by trade. He’s the guy who works seven days a week. That’s where we aligned.”
Chad Masters and learning the trade
Chad Masters grew up in Immokalee, far removed from the jewelry industry.
He met his wife, Danielle Leclerc, at Southeastern University in Lakeland, where he played baseball. In 2010, she asked if he would help her father while he traveled to buy events.
Masters agreed.
“I knew a little bit about coins,” he said. “But buying diamonds, watches and understanding the market takes experience.”
After graduating, Masters asked Keith for a job and permission to marry Danielle in the same conversation.
“He gave me the job,” Masters said, laughing. “But told me no to his daughter’s hand.”
Approval came later.
Growing into leadership together
In the early years, Leclerc, Stamey and Masters traveled extensively together, hosting buying events and learning the business firsthand.
“We were thrown into the fire from day one,” Masters said.
As their roles evolved, so did the company’s strategy. Stamey began pushing IDC toward clearer retail messaging and more consistent branding.
One pivotal shift was telling Keith Leclerc’s story publicly.
“He never wanted to be in the spotlight,” Stamey said. “But once people heard his story, the business changed.”
That story, one of grit and persistence, resonated.
“He’s the American dream personified,” Stamey said.
A family business, expanded
Today, the Leclerc family includes 12 grandchildren and 12 IDC locations.
“12 stores for 12 kids,” Stamey said, laughing.
Balancing family and business is not without challenges.
“Keith kicks us when we don’t reach our potential,” Masters said. “Because he sees more.”
For Brian Leclerc, the lesson passed down from the beginning remains central.
“My dad always taught me that if you protect your customers, you’ll have them for life,” he said.
The Fifth C Foundation
International Diamond Center’s philanthropic arm, the Fifth C Foundation, reflects the family’s belief that success carries responsibility.
Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $1M through direct contributions and auctioned items to support its fundraising efforts.
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Its focus includes organizations serving children, veterans and those fighting human trafficking.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” Keith Leclerc has said.
With the next generation firmly in place, that philosophy continues to guide the future of International Diamond Center.
