Diamonds is a work.
Diamonds (Rihanna song) . The song premiered on September 26 , 2012 , during the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and was digitally released the following day as the lead single from Unapologetic . `` Diamonds '' topped music charts in over twenty countries , including the United States , where it became Rihanna 's twelfth number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and tied her with Madonna and The Supremes for the fifth-most number one singles in the chart 's history . The song 's music video was shot by director Anthony Mandler , a frequent collaborator of Rihanna 's , and depicts her in four environments that represent the elements of earth , air , water , and fire . The American Society of Composers , Authors and Publishers ( ASCAP ) recognized it as one of the most performed songs of 2013 and 2014 .