Episode Seven: Forever is a Long Time
Ever notice how one stone became a rule?
Diamonds didn’t become forever because of love or tradition alone. They became powerful because marketing learned how to turn permanence, pressure, and status into expectation.
In this episode of Lies We Bought, I unpack how diamonds went from rare gemstones to required engagement symbols, why size and price started to feel emotional, and how decades of messaging taught us that commitment should be proven, not just felt.
We trace the story from royal politics and early engagement rings through De Beers, the invention of the Four Cs, the salary rule, and the cultural moment when a choice quietly became a rule.
Then we look at what actually holds value, what doesn’t, and why questioning the story can feel uncomfortable even when the facts are clear.
This isn’t an anti-diamond episode. It’s an anti-pressure episode.
Uncover The Marketing Lies We Bought
Step inside Lies We Bought, the podcast that exposes the stories, slogans, and psychology behind the ads that shaped our lives. From “Breakfast is the most important meal” to “Diamonds are forever,” discover how marketing molded modern culture, and what it says about us today.
Hosted by marketer and storyteller Emily Rask, Lies We Bought peels back decades of consumer manipulation and media influence to reveal the truth behind the brands we trusted most. Listen, laugh, and rethink the slogans that defined a generation.
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If there’s a slogan, trend, or “truth” that needs unpacking, send it in. We’re always taking confessions.