Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged after two years of dating, and she has the ring to prove it.
Swift posted a series of engagement photos on Aug. 26. Slide 3 of the carousel is a close-up of the diamond ring itself.
The old mine diamond is set in a ring designed by Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry, TODAY.com can confirm. The diamond is a brilliant cushion cut.
Old mine cuts are notable because they are antique diamonds dating back to the time that diamonds were hand-cut and polished. Jeweler Hannah Florman tells TODAY.com old mine diamonds “send a signal that the wearer values individuality over mass-produced perfection,” since each is cut by hand.
“This ring honors craftsmanship and subtle beauty that’s not about trends,” Florman says.
Jewelry specialist Laura Taylor says old mine cuts are a “hallmark of antique jewelry,” and are known for “having a romantic glow rather than the sparkle we associate with engagement rings today.”
The vintage look is underlined by the ring’s thick gold cigar band, an increasingly popular choice for rings. Dua Lipa’s engagement ring, for example, has this type of band.
But Florman says the detailing on Swift’s ring gives it a “different look than the trending rings we’re seeing right now.” The engraved band gives it a “real storybook quality,” Taylor says.
Plus, the diamond has both prongs and a button-back setting — essentially, a layer of metal surrounding the stone itself, which is another hallmark of older rings.
“As a self-proclaimed ‘English teacher’ and lover of art and history, it’s not surprising to see Travis select an antique ring similar to that of the Victorian era. This ring style feels reminiscent of a bygone era tied to the 18th and 19th centuries when diamonds were cut by candlelight,” Florman says.
Simone Kendle, CEO of Wove Made Inc., the jewelry brand behind the viral TNT bracelet Swift and Kelce once wore, agrees that the vintage feel mirrors Swift’s aesthetic and value as an artist.
“It’s not trendy or flashy; it’s rooted in history and romance, which is very her,” Kendle says.
She says the thick band adds to an “old-money vibe” and the feeling the ring is a “vintage heirloom.”
“It’s not about following current trends, it’s about leaning into heritage,” Kendle says.
In terms of the diamond’s carat size and pricing, the jewelers give a range of estimates.
Florman estimates the ring is 8 carats and between $500,000 to $1 million.
Kendle says it could be between 7 and 8 carats. “A diamond of that size and character would be valued in the millions, depending on its color and clarity — it’s truly one of a kind,” she says.
