Yes, the quality of the diamond is important as is the condition of your records and how you play them. I have never worn out a stylus and I have a medical microscope to keep an eye on them. I have 4 cartridges now and I do give one away occasionally if I decide I do not care for it.
The cartridge I use the most is an Ortofon Windfeld Ti. The best styluses are going to be very small (less mass) and glued right to the end of the cantilever (again less mass) Chakster is right. The styluses with the greatest contact areas will wear down slower if their azimuth is set up right.
Clean, static free records is the key. I always use a dust cover and a conductive sweep arm. Styluses do not wear out and I never have to clean records. (I do not buy used records)
The cartridge I use the most is an Ortofon Windfeld Ti. The best styluses are going to be very small (less mass) and glued right to the end of the cantilever (again less mass) Chakster is right. The styluses with the greatest contact areas will wear down slower if their azimuth is set up right.
Clean, static free records is the key. I always use a dust cover and a conductive sweep arm. Styluses do not wear out and I never have to clean records. (I do not buy used records)