Vinyl pressings
by Amanda Lear · 1979
Diamonds was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 2 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
101212 A-1/79S II Made in GermanyRunout side A, var. 1
101212 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B, var. 1
101212 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side A, var. 2
101212 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B, var. 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Austria | Ariola 101 212First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Ariola 101 212 / Ariola 101 212-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Bolivia | Ariola AAS-9028 / Ariola AAS - 90287", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Chile | Ariola ARS 10.0387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Arabella 1012127" | 7" |
| 1980 | France | Arabella 101 2127", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1980 | France | Arabella 1012127" | 7" |
| 1980 | South Africa | Ariola ARS 2527", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Ariola A-101212 / Ariola A-101.2127", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Ariola 101 2127", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Diamonds are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, Austria. One of them is Ariola 101 212, released December 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 101 212) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 101212 A-1/79S II Made in Germany and 101212 B-1/79S Made in Germany. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
