“Kelce worked with Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry to design the ring,” Vogue reported. Photo: Taylor Swift/Instagram
Taylor Swift’s big, beautiful diamond engagement ring reflects the singer’s love of vintage jewelry — and that’s a big love.
One expert in estate jewelry tells Brides magazine the ring could be worth US$550,000, while others suggest it could be a million-dollar sparkler.
Swift, who announced her engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on Tuesday, has not released any information about what will surely become an iconic piece of celebrity bling.
Perhaps here it should be noted that one of the songs on Swift’s new album, The Life Of A Showgirl, is titled Elizabeth Taylor, a movie star known for her love of lavish and very expensive jewelry.
“Kelce worked with Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry to design the ring,” Vogue reported. ”Kelce popped the question with a round brilliant-cut old mine diamond, which was bezel-set in yellow gold with filigree detail work on the side of the band.
“Clearly, there was no need to sacrifice any of the four C’s: the colourless diamond took up much of her left ring finger’s real estate.”
According to TaylorSwiftStyled on Instagram, Lubeck is a female jeweller who specialises in vintage-inspired rings and ethically sourced gemstones.
The ring “looks to be an old mine brilliant cut — this is a very unique shape and very uncommon today. The facets are larger, the stone is a bit deeper, and it gives the effect of a softer sparkle,” Tara Zerr, divisional vice president of merchandise at Helzberg in Kansas City, said in a statement to The Star.
“The weight of the diamond looks to be around 10 carats, but our guess – knowing the iconic duo – is that the number is something significant to them, perhaps 13!
“We’d estimate the cost to be around US$400K, US$500K for a natural diamond.”
Forbes says the “old mine” brilliant cut dates from the early 18th century to late 19th century.
“Old Mine Cut diamonds are square shaped with rounded corners and have 58 facets. However, no two Old Mine Cut diamonds are alike. You can recognise one by its small table, larger culet (flat facet) and high crown,” the fine jewellery company VRAI told Forbes.
“The style of the ring is definitely a throwback to the Victorian Era, with the beautiful delicate and decorative gold work,” Benjamin Khordipour at Estate Diamond Jewelry told Brides.
“Taylor Swift was proposed to with a stunning elongated antique cushion-cut diamond that is approximately 8 carats, F colour and VS1 clarity,” says Khordipour.
“The ring was handcrafted in 18k yellow gold and the centre diamond is set with needle point prongs that perfectly match the antique style. Smaller diamonds and hand-engravings adorn the shoulders of her setting.”
He called it his favourite celebrity sparkler of the year. “We estimate the price of her ring to be US$550,000,” Khordipour said.
Chapelle noted that other outlets have estimated the ring to be worth US$750,000 to as much as US$1mil.
Chapelle, a devoted Swiftie, noticed something unique about the ring.
“And, if my eyes don’t deceive me, in the photo we have of the ring it appears that part of the filigree work includes a small ’T’ on the side, which I would guess is mirrored on the other side of the band,” she wrote.
“If I’m guessing, this is possibly a reference to Taylor and Travis’ couple nickname “TnT” — to which Taylor nodded in her caption via a dynamite emoji.
“This wouldn’t be the first time Taylor has worn jewellery that references the shorthanded nickname. You might recall that she wore a ‘double T’ Tiffany & Co ring that I thought was a possible wink to that.”
Swift hasn’t publicly commented on the ring. – The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service
