Music Friday: Tracy Byrd Proclaims That Love Makes a Diamond Shine

Welcome to Music Friday, our weekly feature that highlights songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, we’re revisiting Tracy Byrd’s 1997 hit, “Don’t Love Make a Diamond Shine,” a country tune that reminds us it’s not the size or value of the diamond that matters — it’s the love behind it.

In this heartfelt track, Byrd introduces us to Tommy and Janey, a young couple shopping for an engagement ring. As they peer into the jewelry case, a modest diamond catches Tommy’s eye. For them, the moment is perfect — not because of the carat weight or price tag, but because of the commitment it symbolizes.

Byrd sings, “Mister bring it closer, mister can we hold it / I think it’s gonna fit just fine / As he slipped it on her hand, Janey kissed her man / Don’t love make a diamond shine?”

The song emphasizes that any diamond — whether massive or modest — radiates a special brilliance when it’s given in love. Byrd contrasts this with a wealthy couple whose 15-carat gem looks “duller than dirt” because their relationship is crumbling.

“Don’t Love Make a Diamond Shine” was written by hitmakers Mike Dekle and Craig Wiseman. It was released as the third single from Byrd’s fourth studio album, Big Love, which became his third gold-certified record. The song reached #17 on the US Billboard Country Songs chart and climbed to #13 on Canada’s Country Tracks chart.

Born in Vidor, TX, Byrd got his start in music while attending Southwest Texas State University. After impressing a recording studio owner with a rendition of Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” Byrd found himself entered into a local talent competition. That contest eventually led to a recording contract with MCA Records in 1992.

Since then, Byrd has become one of country music’s most recognizable voices, charting 33 singles, including #1 Country hits “Holdin’ Heaven” and “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo.” His catalog also features favorites, such as “Watermelon Crawl” and “The Truth About Men.” Byrd has released 10 studio albums and continues to tour extensively.

Fans can catch him live in 2025 at venues across the U.S., including stops in New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Kansas, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada.

Be sure to check out the audio track of Byrd’s “Don’t Love Make a Diamond Shine.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along!

“Don’t Love Make A Diamond Shine”
Written by Craig Wiseman and Mike Dekle. Performed by Tracy Byrd.

Tommy and Janey barely 18
Holding hands at the jewelry store
Eyes open wide staring inside
At the ring that they wanted for her

Mister bring it closer, mister can we hold it
I think it’s gonna fit just fine
As he slipped it on her hand, Janey kissed her man
Don’t love make a diamond shine?

Don’t love make a diamond shine?
It don’t matter if it costs a dime
Dang thing looks like a million bucks
Sittin’ on the hand of a girl in love.

A perfect 15 carat is duller than dirt
If the heart don’t wear it
With three little words it’ll knock you blind
Don’t love make a diamond shine?

There’s a rich lady with a new Mercedes
Livin’ up in a highrise
She’s got a big ol’ rock on her left hand
That looks cheaper than a Cracker Jack prize.

‘Cause her man don’t know that it ain’t the dough
No all he needs to spend is time
And that big marquis’d be a laser beam
Don’t love make a diamond shine?

Don’t love make a diamond shine?
It don’t matter if it costs a dime
Dang thing looks like a million bucks
Sittin’ on the hand of a girl in love.

A perfect 15 carat is duller than dirt
If the heart don’t wear it
With three little words it’ll knock you blind
Don’t love make a diamond shine?

Don’t love make a diamond shine?
It don’t matter if it costs a dime
Dang thing looks like a million bucks
Sittin’ on the hand of a girl in love.

A perfect 15 carat is duller than dirt
If the heart don’t wear it
With three little words it’ll knock you blind
Don’t love make a diamond shine?

Don’t love make a diamond shine?

Credit: Photo by Republic Country Club, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.