the riaa operates an award program for albums that sell a large number of copies. the program originally began in 1958, with a "gold award" for singles and albums that reach $1,000,000 in sales. the criterion was changed in 1975 to the number of copies sold, with albums selling 500,000 copies awarded the gold award. in 1976, a "platinum award" was added for one million sales. in 1989 new criteria were introduced, with a "gold award" for singles that reach 500,000 in sales and a "platinum award" for singles that reach 1,000,000 in sales; and in 1999 a "diamond award" for ten million sales was introduced. the awards are open to both riaa members and non-members.