Diamonds are Forever, the 7th James Bond movie, was released in the UK in December 1971. Fifty years later I take a walk down memory lane. I can’t say I remember it, I wasn’t born until a few years later. I was told by my dad, that back then it was as big a deal. As big a deal as a new Bond movie is released today. Probably more, since it was the return of Sean Connery as 007. Sean's first 007 made the franchise famous in 1962 with Dr. No.
Not everyone enjoyed it. Some people think it went a little too far. Connery had negotiated a great contract for himself. And rightly so. He received a very handsome payment and the promise by the film studio to make a further two films. One of the conditions was that the movie would complete filming by a certain date. The producers knew that if the filming ran over, they would be in trouble. Not only could it cost the studio more money, but they could potentially lose their star. Connery was professional, as he had always been, and all went according to plan. The story wasn’t particularly strong. Although the supporting cast were great. The two henchmen, Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, were especially menacing, up there with he best in the franchise. But Blofeld escaping Bond dressed in drag, was a little too much for some people. For me, it's an enjoyable Bond film, one I come back to again and again. There was the moon buggy chase. And who can forget the car chase with Bond driving the red Mustang Mach 1 around the streets of downtown Las Vegas? He went down a narrow alleyway, ramped the car up on two side wheels, then came out the alley on the opposite set of wheels. Only in a Bond film...
It's no surprise that I particularly enjoy the storyline and the journey the diamonds take, being smuggled from the African mines. Their journey through Mrs. Whistler in Amsterdam. And finally, via Tiffany Case to Blofeld, posing as Willard Whyte in Las Vegas. The way that Sir Donald Munger tells the story at the start is quite enjoyable and an interesting one. I have no doubt that the way diamond smuggling was described then is how it happened. I’m not so sure that the same can be said today. Times have changed.
But what we do learn from the film is that everyone has a fascination with diamonds. Just listen to the lyrics as Dame Shirley Bassey belts them out in a way only she can. She claims they can stimulate and tease her. She doesn’t need love. Diamonds never lie to her. She can see every part; nothing hides in the heart to hurt her. Brilliant lyrics written by 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
So where am I going with this? Well, it’s really an excuse to talk about a film I revere and one which plays a part in my life on a day-to-day basis. Diamonds consume me. Even to this day, 30 years on since I first started in the trade. I am still fascinated by diamonds. I don’t think I can sum it up as well as Dame Shirley Bassey did, but I certainly do appreciate her sentiment.
I’m often asked by a client to explain and show the difference between two apparent 'same stones'. And my reply is that just because two diamonds might appear the same on paper, they aren’t necessarily the same in person. We need to look at the diamonds un-mounted. We need to look deep into the heart of the stone. We need to understand where the characteristics differ and what type of inclusions each stone has. No two are ever the same. A diamond certificate is merely an accurate autopsy of what that piece of carbon has endured during the millions of years of formation. More info on this topic is on a previous blog which you can read here.
So please, when you go shopping for an important diamond. A piece of nature that will be admired and passed on for generations. Make sure that you do your homework. Don’t buy a diamond because it’s a cheap version of the one you want. Make sure you do your due diligence. If someone is offering you something at a price that’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
It's fair to say that we don’t ever own a diamond. We merely look after it for the next generation. After all, they are the hardest and most durable natural substance on our planet. For when love’s gone, they’ll lustre on. Because diamonds are forever, forever, forever.
