Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Vintage Dream

08/27/2025

Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Vintage Dream

Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring: The Ultimate Deep-Dive (Cut, Carat, Cost, Designer, Trend Forecast + How to Get the Look)

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Aug. 26 with a joint Instagram post—captioned, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The ring was co-designed by Kelce and Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry and features a vintage old-mine/antique-cushion–style diamond in yellow gold, with delicate engraving and antique details. Early expert estimates place the center stone around ~8 carats with values ranging from ~$250k–$550k (some high-end estimates go much higher depending on final specs). 

The Announcement, the Vibe, the Moment

Swift revealed the news with a romantic garden-set photo carousel. Multiple outlets confirm the caption above and the vintage feel of the shoot; Swift’s close-ups give us a great look at the ring’s antique character. Ed Kelce later shared that the proposal happened “about two weeks” earlier at Travis’s home. 

Ring Specs (What We Can Tell from Photos & Expert Breakdowns)

  • Center stone: antique-style old mine brilliant / antique cushion (a.k.a. the predecessor to the modern cushion). Expect softly rounded corners, chunkier facets, higher crown, and an open culet typical of hand-cut stones. 

  • Approx. carat weight: widely estimated around ~8 carats (some ranges cited 7–12). 

  • Color/clarity (estimated): ~F / VS1 (expert estimate from image analysis; not confirmed by GIA). 

  • Metal: Yellow gold with engraved and vintage-inspired detailing.

  • Setting: Sources describe either a very delicate prong look or a bezel-leaning antique silhouette—both consistent with period styles and what we see in the photos; expect ultra-fine metalwork that frames the stone closely. (Coverage is mixed across outlets; final studio specs haven’t been released.) 

  • Designer: Kindred Lubeck, Artifex Fine Jewelry—created in collaboration with Travis Kelce. 

What Is an “Old Mine Brilliant” (a.k.a. Antique Cushion)?

“Old mine” refers to historic, hand-cut brilliants—squarish with rounded corners—that date back to the 1700s–1800s. They have larger, chunky facets, smaller tables, higher crowns, and often a visible culet. Think romance and fire under candlelight rather than the pin-flash sparkle of a modern brilliant. Modern cushion cuts evolved from these early brilliants, preserving the pillowy outline but optimizing for symmetry and light return. 

How Much Is Taylor’s Ring Worth?

Estimates vary because the exact GIA specs aren’t public. From credible early reads:

  • ~$250k–$550k based on antique-style cut, ~7–9 to ~8 carats, and 18k yellow gold craftsmanship. 

  • Some analysts peg a much higher upper bound depending on final carat/quality and rarity—up to seven figuresin certain coverage. (Big spreads are common for one-of-a-kind pieces.) 

Trend Watch: Why Taylor’s Ring Is a Big Deal

  • Old-mine revival: Fashion press is already calling a surge for old-mine/antique cushions—stones prized for individuality and history. Expect demand for elongated cushions, yellow gold, and engraved/bezel-leaning looks to keep climbing. 

  • Yellow gold stays hot: The warm metal complements vintage cuts and skin tones; it’s back at the center of bridal.

  • Personalized design: The fact that Kelce co-designed the ring with Lubeck reinforces the bespoke movement (couples shaping unique heirlooms together). 

Get the Look (At Any Budget)

1) Choose Your Center Stone Path

  • True antique (old mine/antique cushion, natural): Hunt with trusted estate/vintage specialists; expect unique facet patterns and sometimes lower symmetry grades (that’s part of the charm). Supply is limited; pricing reflects rarity. 

  • Modern cushion with antique faceting: If you want the look with modern performance, ask for “antique-style cushion” or “OMC-inspired” cutting. Many cutters replicate chunkier facets and open culet aesthetics. 

  • Lab-grown option: For dramatic size on a tighter budget, a lab-grown elongated cushion in yellow gold with antique-style prongs or bezel gives similar visuals for a fraction of the price (value retention differs; buy for love, not investment).

2) Metal & Setting Checklist

  • Yellow gold (18k): warmer hue, authentic to the period.

  • Slim bezel or ultra-fine claw prongs: both read vintage; bezel offers more edge protection, while claws maximize light entry. (Taylor’s references show both interpretations in media—either is “on brief.”) 

  • Hand engraving + milgrain: texture that instantly telegraphs “heirloom.”

3) Side-Stone & Band Styling

  • No halo needed. Let the facet pattern be the star.

  • Optional side accents: tiny rounds or half-moons keep with the era without stealing the show. (Some outlets observed petite accents in close-ups.)

  • Pro cleaning tip: Old-mine facets show off best when the ring is spotless—schedule gentle cleanings and avoid lotions right before photos.

Stacking Like Taylor: Eternity Bands That Sing

Once you’ve got the solitaire, build the stack:

  • Knife-edge micro-pavé eternity: slender sparkle that doesn’t crowd the center.

  • Old-cut diamond band: pair antique with antique—old European or old mine melee is chef’s kiss.

  • Mixed-metal moment: a platinum eternity between two yellow-gold bands adds contrast while keeping the center ring period-correct.

  • Contour band: if you go bezel, a shallow curve lets the band hug the setting without gaps.

Sizing, Scale & Hand Feel (Pro Tips)

  • Elongation ratio: An elongated cushion (~1.10–1.20 L/W) slims the finger and photographs beautifully.

  • Gallery height: Antique-inspired rings often sit a touch higher; ensure the profile clears an eternity band if you plan to stack.

  • Practical bezel note: Bezel = more edge protection; prongs = airier look and (usually) easier sizing tweaks.

FAQ

Is Taylor’s diamond lab-grown or natural?
No public confirmation. Antique-style cutting leans aesthetic, not origin; both natural and lab stones can be cut antique-style. (Coverage focuses on the cut and design, not origin.) 

Why do sources disagree on the exact setting?
We’re working from photos and expert reads; some describe a very tight prong style, others a bezel-leaning silhouette. Until studio specs are released, expect slight variations in reporting. 

What exactly makes an old-mine diamond different from a modern cushion?
Chunkier facets, higher crowns, smaller tables, and an open culet—hand-cut for candlelight sparkle vs. the optimized symmetry of modern cushions. 

How much would a similar ring cost me?
For an ~8 ct antique-style cushion in yellow gold, public estimates span ~$250k–$550k, but rarity, color/clarity, and craftsmanship can swing pricing dramatically (some estimates land far higher). Smaller carat weights or lab-grown paths can deliver the look for far less. 

Ready to Try On the Era?

If you’re dreaming up your own old-mine or antique-cushion moment in yellow gold with engraved details, we can spec stones, compare bezel vs. claw settings, and build your stack with eternity bands that complement (not compete). At Beverly's Fine Jewelry, we specialize in custom! Tell us your target carat range and budget and we'll sketch out a few ring/stack combos that capture Taylor’s vintage magic—minus the celebrity price tag.