Roller bearing apparatuses including compliant rolling elements, and related methods of manufacture

A roller bearing apparatus, comprising:

• a rotor including:
• a first plurality of superhard raceway elements distributed circumferentially about an axis, each of the first plurality of superhard raceway elements including a raceway surface positioned and configured to form a first portion of a raceway;
• a first support ring that carries the first plurality of superhard raceway elements;
• a stator including:
• a second plurality of superhard raceway elements generally opposed the first plurality of superhard raceway elements, each of the second plurality of superhard raceway elements including a raceway surface positioned and configured to form a second portion of the raceway;
• a second support ring that carries the second plurality of superhard raceway element;
• and
• a plurality of rolling elements interposed between the rotor and the stator and positioned and configured to roll on the first race and second race, at least a portion of the raceway exhibiting a first modulus of elasticity greater than a second modulus of elasticity of at least a portion of the plurality of rolling elements, the first modulus of elasticity being about three (3) times greater to about fifty (50) times greater than the second modulus of elasticity.