Bearing assemblies, and bearing apparatuses and motor assemblies using same

A bearing assembly, comprising:

• a support ring;
• a retention ring assembled with the support ring, the retention ring including a plurality of counterbore through holes, each of the counterbore through holes including a first portion exhibiting a first lateral dimension and a second portion exhibiting a second lateral dimension less than the first lateral dimension;
• and
• a plurality of superhard compacts, each of the superhard compacts positioned generally within a corresponding counterbore through hole of the plurality of counterbore through holes, at least a number of the superhard compacts each including a superhard table comprising a bearing surface and a substrate comprising a shoulder, the shoulder of each of the at least a number of the superhard compacts disposed between the support ring and a portion of the retention ring and at least partially residing in the first portion of the corresponding counterbore through hole, the shoulder of each of the at least a number of the superhard compacts configured to restrict displacement through the corresponding counterbore through hole away from the support ring.