Diamonds Are Forever, but Gold Wears Out

There’s a reason the old saying goes “a diamond is forever.” Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth, ranking a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. That means they resist scratching, chipping, and everyday wear better than almost any other gemstone. When set into jewelry, diamonds can remain just as brilliant and sharp-edged decades—or even centuries—later as the day they were cut.

Gold, however, tells a different story. Pure gold is soft—far too soft for everyday wear in its natural 24K form. That’s why jewelry is usually made with 10K, 14K, or 18K gold, blended with other metals for durability. Even so, gold bends, scratches, and thins over time. Prongs wear down, bands lose thickness, and engraving details soften with age. If you’ve ever seen a vintage gold ring with nearly paper-thin shoulders or worn-down settings, you’ve witnessed gold’s slow surrender to daily life.

This contrast is why diamonds often outlive their original mountings. Many family heirlooms feature diamonds that have been reset multiple times over the years into fresh gold or platinum bands. The stone remains unchanged, while the metal around it gradually gives way to time.

It’s a poetic reminder: diamonds symbolize permanence, strength, and endurance, while gold represents beauty and richness that requires care and renewal. Together, they tell a story not just of adornment, but of life itself—where some things last forever, and others need tending, repair, or rebirth.

So, when we say “diamonds are forever,” we mean it. But when it comes to gold, forever requires a little help along the way.