What Does Album Going Diamond Mean
An album going diamond means it has earned 10 million certified units in the United States, as tracked by the Recording Industry Association of America. The RIAA awards diamond certification only after an album passes platinum nine times, with each platinum representing 1 million units consumed through sales, streams, and track sales. The diamond threshold is the highest level in the RIAA certification system and signals sustained commercial dominance over years or decades.
The RIAA updates its certification database regularly, and diamond albums are rare. As of the latest public data, fewer than 20 albums in history have achieved this status. The process is transparent and audited, with labels submitting evidence of consumption to the RIAA before a diamond plaque is issued.
How RIAA Diamond Certification Is Calculated
The RIAA counts album equivalent units, combining traditional album sales, track sales, and on-demand audio and video streams. Ten million units are required for a diamond certification, but the mix of sales and streams can vary. An album that sells 5 million physical copies and generates enough streams to equal 5 million additional units can qualify.
Certification is not automatic; a label or distributor must request it and provide documentation. The RIAA reviews the data and then awards the diamond plaque. This system ensures that diamond status reflects verified consumption rather than estimates or projections.
Artists With Diamond Certified Albums
Several artists hold multiple diamond albums, including Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and Garth Brooks. The Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)" is one of the best-selling albums in RIAA history and helped define the diamond benchmark. Other major diamond albums include Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and Whitney Houston's soundtrack for "The Bodyguard."
New diamond certifications continue to be added as legacy catalog consumption grows. Streaming has accelerated the path to diamond for some albums, allowing older releases to cross the 10 million unit threshold faster than in the physical era. For a current list of diamond certified albums, the RIAA maintains a searchable database at