A Diamond Is Forever

Meanings of “A Diamond is Forever”

The phrase “a diamond is forever” means the strength and resilience of a diamond that lasts forever. A diamond is the hardest crystal on the planet, and it is known for its strength and durability. Diamond rings are exchanged during wedding ceremonies due to it’s a rare quality in spite of the price value that cannot be afforded by many people. A few people use their lifetime savings to express their love with diamonds. In other words, a diamond is a symbol of an everlasting relationship.

Origin of “A Diamond is Forever”

The origin of this phrase lies in this marketing tagline coined by a copywriter Frances Gerety at a marketing agency in Philadelphia in 1947. De Beers, a brand, used this tagline to boost its sale of the diamonds after the Great Depression.

Although there is no other authentic and verified origin, the meanings of this slogan have changed forever. Uri Friedman of The Atlantic has also stated that the purposes of this phrase have changed ever since De Beers have used it. Writing about this slogan or tagline on February 13, 2015, he says,

“A diamond that’s forever promises endless romance and companionship. But a forever diamond is also one that’s not resold. Resold diamonds (and it’s maddeningly hard to resell them, as Epstein’s article details) cause fluctuations in diamond prices, which undermine public confidence in the intrinsic value of diamonds. Diamonds that are stowed away in safe-deposit boxes, or bequeathed to grandchildren, don’t.” (The Atlantic, February 13, 2015).

This shows the full explanation of the value of a diamond, its marketing value, and its importance in the life of a person. It also shows how the value of a diamond causes fluctuations in the public confidence on account of its sale and resale.

Examples from Literature

Example #1

 Diamonds Are Forever Forever by Matthew Lopez

In the jungle trying to be king,
They say the best things in life are free,
Love happiness and destiny,
So why are they so hard to see?
In the absence of shiny things,
It’s the stars from a far that preach bling bling,
In the car the bar jewelry ridiculous explicit lives without consequences, Malicious world so materialistic,
It’s our minds that must get lifted,
Indicted, free from contradiction,
Still no smiles without expenses
I said I’d try still optimistic,
When we die I’m predicting ashes to ashes and dust to dust,
Diamonds are forever forever,
That’s realistic.

Matthew Lopez sheds light on several things in life that are free in this poem titled “Diamonds are Forever Forever” presents. He believes that many things are free, and people do not know where to find them. The end of life predicts that human beings will transform into ash, but “Diamonds are forever” and they do not face any extinction. The diamonds are symbols of strength, durability, and longevity.

Example #2

Diamonds are Forever by  Don Black / John Barry

Diamonds are forever, they are all I need to please me
They can stimulate and tease me
They won’t leave in the night
I’ve no fear that they might desert me
Diamonds are forever, hold one up and then caress it
Touch it, stroke it and undress it
I can see ev’ry part, nothing hides in the heart to hurt me
I don’t need love, for what good will love do me?
Diamonds never lie to me
For when love’s gone, they’ll lustre on
Diamonds are forever, sparkling round my little finger
Unlike men, the diamonds linger
Men are mere mortals who are not worth going to your grave for
I don’t need love, for what good will love do me?
Diamonds never lie to me
For when love’s gone, they’ll lustre on
Diamonds are forever, forever, forever.

This is a lyric used in the James Bond film and performed by Shirley Bassey. Don Black and John Barry have penned this lyric. They have written this lyric to pay tributes to diamonds, their durability and purity, and the way these qualities last forever. The song means that diamonds are the purest element on the earth ‘Diamonds never lie’ and this phrase becomes a refrain in the poem along with the title “Diamonds are Forever”.

Example #3

Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming has written this novel with the character of James Bond in mind. James Bond infiltrates a ring of the diamond smugglers. He soon finds himself within the circle to break it and enters another group of the weapon smugglers. The title of the novel reverberates his own persona, which is compared to a diamond that always stays strong, bold, and resilient.

Examples in Sentences as Literary Devices

Example #1: “The salesgirl makes fun of his purchase of a common ring saying no matter what you do, a diamond is forever.” The phrase has been used in a literal sense without demonstrating the use of any figure of speech.

Example# 2: “A woman is more pleased with a diamond ring than with a Ferrari, for a diamond is forever.” Here this phrase has been used as an implicit metaphor, as it has been equated with a good marriage. Therefore, its metaphorical usage has increased its effectiveness.

Example# 3: “When she said that a diamond is forever, I could not understand that she wants to purchase a diamond ring or a diamond bracelet.” The phrase has been used in an exact sense.

Example# 4: “His face is fresh as a diamond is forever, and it seems that he would win the day in the contest.” Here the phrase has been used as a metaphor for the face. It shows that the face is as fresh, beautiful, and resilient as a diamond.

Example# 5: “They still love each other as fifty years ago, which seems a diamond is forever.” Here the phrase seems to have been used as a synecdoche as it represents the whole marriage instead of just the diamond ring.