It is surprising that you have interest in preserving/dubbing 78rpm records into compact discs. You may have unique material to preserve. For your question, it may be as the modern needles made with diamond are more forgiving than the needles in the times of the 78 rpm records. There is several types of modern needles (well, not modern any more) , and I would say the ones designed for microgroove would not be convenient on 78rpm grooves. But a standard type use should work fine.
The diamond needle, in healthy condition does not damage any record.
78rpm records can use the same needle as 45 and 33; perhaps you are confusing the even older records meant to be played with steel needles in hand cranked 'Victrolas'