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

5 main.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry Catalog

Sponsored by Tasha R

18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch Captain Arthur Roston
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2M

Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.

Harris Jewelry storefront
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund Requests

A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Cynthia Erivo wearing Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo collection
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ Collection

Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.

Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Rocksbox San Francisco store
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San Francisco

The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.

Mary Moses Kinney
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team

Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Sotheby’s New York building
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax Fraud

The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.

Kering logo
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability Focus

The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.

Model wearing pieces from Camera Oscura collection
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection

The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.

Columbia Gem House “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts

The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.

The jewelry symposium 2025
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship Applications

The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry Store

Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.

Tsar Ferdinand I Bulgaria colored diamond pin and emerald diamond ring
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry Sale

A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.

Trove NYC flagship exterior
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYC

The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.

Snoop Dogg and Carolyn Rafaelian
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love

“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.

Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s Rebrand

Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.

Andrea Jose jewelry
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry Week

The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.

Dolly Parton and Kendra Scott
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra Scott

The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.

IGI Expressions
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition Returns

This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.

New York Comic Con Javits Center crowd
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic Con

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.

Marie Lichtenberg and Raiz’in collection
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ Designs

The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.

Citizen 100th Anniversary Limited Edition #1 Pocket Watch
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket Watch

No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.

My Next Question store security episode
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure

On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.

18th century diamond necklace
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M

Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light Display

Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.

×

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