Sourcing

De Beers Is Bringing Back Its ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ Ads

SourcingAug 26, 2021

De Beers Is Bringing Back Its ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ Ads

It also has a new sourcing program called Code of Origin and a partnership with National Geographic to help protect the Okavango Delta.

20210826_De Beers Nat Geo header.jpg
De Beers Group made a number of announcements at its annual breakfast event in Las Vegas, including a new partnership with National Geographic that aims to protect the animals and people who depend on the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana. (Photo credit: C. Boyes/National Geographic)
Las Vegas—“A Diamond Is Forever” is getting a revival this fall.

In Las Vegas, De Beers Group announced plans for a new marketing campaign built around the iconic tag line but updated for a new generation, said Chief Brand Officer David Prager. 

The campaign, which is expected to launch in late October, is the company’s first campaign branded as “De Beers” but not focused on De Beers Jewellers since the late 1990s. 

De Beers is releasing limited details about the campaign right now, but a couple things are clear.

It will promote the natural diamonds De Beers Group sells across its properties—at De Beers Jewellers stores, via Forevermark and, eventually, through the new Code of Origin sourcing program. (Lightbox, the company’s lab-grown diamond line, is not branded as De Beers and will not be part of this campaign.)   

And De Beers said the campaign will be inclusive, in terms of the people represented, the moments celebrated and the jewelry worn, featuring designs sold at De Beers Jewellers stores and by Forevermark. 

In addition to its new campaign, De Beers will also invest in communicating about its environmental and social programs, something the company sees as key in speaking to younger consumers today, millennials and—to an even greater extent—Gen Z, the diverse generation that follows.

In an interview with National Jeweler Wednesday, De Beers Executive Vice President Stephen Lussier said Gen Zers are even more socially aware than their older millennial peers and “very brand-oriented” in the luxury space. 

They want to be part of the brands they follow and invest in, and they want those brands to not just “do no harm” but to actively be making positive change in the world. 

De Beers does a lot of good in the communities where it mines, Prager said in the same interview, but consumers haven’t necessarily been getting the message. 

“No matter how good our story has been, it’s been very difficult to connect a consumer to it.” 

 Related stories will be right here … 

In late 2020, De Beers announced “Building Forever,” a set of goals it hopes to achieve by 2030 that are built around four pillars: protecting the environment, fostering equal opportunity, partnering for thriving communities, and leading ethical practices across the jewelry industry.   

On Wednesday, the company announced a new partnership that will aid in its environmental goals.

“Okavango Eternal” is a partnership between De Beers and National Geographic aimed at protecting the source waters of the Okavango Delta and the lives and livelihoods they support.

The Okavango Delta is located in northern Botswana and holds protected status. But the delta originates from the unprotected Okavango Basin, which spans southern Angola, eastern Namibia, and northern Botswana, fed by rain from Angola’s highlands.   

National Geographic has been working since 2015 to secure permanent, sustainable protection for the basin through its Wilderness Project.

Now, De Beers joins National Geographic in its mission, making a five-year commitment to provide money and resources to protect endangered species in the area, support conservation resources, ensure water and food security for more than 1 million people, develop livelihood opportunities for 10,000, and raise awareness about the importance of the Okavango Delta.

20210826_Okavango Delta.jpg
The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana is protected, but it is fed by the unprotected Okavango Basin. National Geographic has been working to change that since 2015. (Photo credit: Kostadin Luchansky/National Geographic)

The return of “A Diamond Is Forever” and the National Geographic partnership were just two of the announcements De Beers made Thursday at its annual breakfast event in Las Vegas. 

The diamond miner and marketer also announced a new source program that opens up mine-to-market traceability to a broader swath of the industry, De Beers Code of Origin. 

Code of Origin will enable participating retailers to say, “This is a De Beers diamond,” even if it is not Forevermark. 

Under the program, a unique code will be inscribed on the table of De Beers diamonds larger than 0.30 carats. It will serve as proof that the diamond is natural and conflict-free, originating from one of De Beers’ mines. 

De Beers will not be providing the exact mine of origin with each diamond, Lussier explained in Wednesday’s interview. Jewelers will be able to say the De Beers diamond was mined in either Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, or Canada. 

“Knowing [exactly] where a diamond comes from; it’s not that important,” Lussier said. “What I really want to know is, what positive impact does it have where it comes from?”

Code of Origin is still in what De Beers called the “learn to scale” phase, though the goal is that the majority of diamonds De Beers sells into the market will carry this code. 

De Beers is looking for more development partners for Code of Origin as it aims to expand the program in 2022. 

The Latest

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Athena Calderone x John Hardy Collection
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired Collection

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs Impact

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Natural Diamond Council Diamond Learning Center Graphic
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from Members

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

Technology Therapy Group logo
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry Retailers

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

Catbird Chicago
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to Chicago

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through Love

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert and Rose-Marie Goodman outside Robert Goodman Jewelers
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-Up

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

Womens Jewelry Association WJA logo
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter President

The announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.

Stock image of shipping containers
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.

Botswana Minster of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Joy Kenewendo
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing Diamonds

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.

The Golconda Blue
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to Auction

The historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.

Bulgari Eden the Garden of Wonders ad
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 Percent

LVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.

Screenshot from new Jon Hamm series on Apple TV+, Your Friends and Neighbors
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+

The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

Two Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai

An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.

Sauer Balance Earrings in Ma Campaign
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ Collection

The collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.

Mari Lous Fine Jewelry
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 Years

Mari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.

GIA logo
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick In

GIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.

Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl and Diamond Earrings Similar to Princess Grace’s Wedding Earrings
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding Earrings

These earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.

My Next Question webinar graphic
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AI

Two experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.

America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime

“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy