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

Dana Rebecca Designs Tennis Bracelets Campaign Imagery
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, Personalization

This holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.

Paul’s Jewelers 7Cs Cafe
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7Cs

Paul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.

Kay Love All In campaign
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on Love

Part of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Jean Schlumberger’s Hedges and Flowers Necklace
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum

The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.

Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Pandora x Pat McGrath campaign image
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry Collab

The jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.

Texas Jewelers Association
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th Anniversary

The association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling 2026
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event Returns

The jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.

Pandora and Foundrae medallions
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court Rules

A federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.

The Retail Smiths Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional Selling

People aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.

Constance Polamalu
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' List

The Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.

Photo collage of new GCAL by Sarine lab in Mumbai
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in Mumbai

The facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.

NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Autumn Edition Imagery
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn Edition

The four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Cartier Cheich watch in white gold
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M

Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.

Pamela Bernstein-Gulla and Elle Hill at the Wynn Las Vegas
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to Retire

Bernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.

Bhindi Jewelers Glendale Store Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California Store

The relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.

Unheated Paraiba
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s

The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.

Photo from 2026 Jewelers of America Fly-In
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In

Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.

Nanis Sway Earrings
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror

Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.

De Beers Group’s SynthDetect 2 diamond screening instrument
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine

SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.

14th century gold seal ring
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 Friends

Two metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s Desk

The bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.

John Carter and Michael Richards
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley Award

The American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.

Cynthia Erivo x Zoe Chicco The Chrysalis Capsule Collection Campaign
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to Transformation

The “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.

Kevin Patton
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Jewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.

Graphic for episode 9 of My Next Question featuring Pamela Froman and Remy Sasha
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy Edelstein

Two special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.

×

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