Grading

De Beers Ups Diamond Marketing Investment to $140M This Year

GradingAug 30, 2017

De Beers Ups Diamond Marketing Investment to $140M This Year

It’s the largest budget the diamond company has allocated in nearly a decade.

2016_Diamond-ring-De-Beers.jpg
De Beers is investing in both its proprietary brands as well as general consumer marketing.

London--De Beers announced it is upping its diamond marketing spend to $140 million this year, with a focus on the United States, China and India.

The De Beers Group said it is the largest investment in diamond marketing it has made since 2008, and is up from the $120 million spent in 2016.

The spend is targeted at raising consumer awareness, mainly through promotion of its Forevermark and De Beers Diamond Jewellers brands but also by allocating funds towards its partnerships with the Diamond Producers Association DPA and India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.

A spokesperson told National Jeweler that marketing efforts would “cover a variety of mediums including print, television and digital,” though the exact breakdowns would differ between De Beers’ proprietary brands and its partnerships.

“Total consumer expenditure on diamond jewelry for the last five years collectively has been the highest on record--and the outlook is positive,” said De Beers Group’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier.

“However, we cannot take future growth for granted. Increasing our spend from a strong position will help support continued demand in both mature and developing markets, particularly among millennials, who are already the largest group of diamond consumers despite this generation not having yet reached its maximum earning potential.”

It’s been a good year so far for diamond marketing news. During Las Vegas Market Week in June, the DPA announced it was increasing its marketing budget nearly ten-fold, from approximately $6 million to $57 million.

Most of that is going to marketing toward millennials in the United States and promoting mined diamonds through its “Real is Rare” campaign, as well as additional promotion of the campaign in India and China.

“Increasing our spend from a strong position will help support continued demand in both mature and developing markets, particularly among millennials, who are already the largest group of diamond consumers despite this generation not having yet reached its maximum earning potential.”-- Stephen Lussier, De Beers
With the announcement from De Beers, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses released a statement on behalf of its president, Ernie Blom, noting that both De Beers’s and the DPA’s respective marketing growth should have a positive effect across all parts of the diamond industry.

“Taken together with the DPA’s decision to increase its diamond jewelry promotional budget this year to $57 million, we are seeing very significant action in promoting diamonds
in key markets. The diamond industry globally can take heart from these decisions as they will serve to boost demand,” Blom said.

He continued, “It is extremely encouraging to see these steps being taken with the industry uniting in recent times to tackle the issue of generic diamond jewelry marketing. Resources are very rightly being concentrated on the millennials market because that is a huge consumer market which has not been targeted for advertising before. The DPA’s research shows that these younger buyers believe in the value of diamonds because they symbolize rarity and value.”
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Jewelry display
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be Taking

JSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.

Header - One platform_ total protection_ seamless shipping (1).png
Supplier BulletinSep 24, 2026
Ship with Confidence with JM Shipping Solution

Sponsored by JM Shipping

8.03 carat natural fancy light blue diamond
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry Auction

The fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.

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.

Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry by Amy Azzarito
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry

“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.

Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Lab-grown diamond tennis bracelets and rings from Kira Jewels
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

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.

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.

The logo for The Diamond Collective, the new name for the Natural Diamond Council
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time

The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

×

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