As if there wasn’t enough excitement around the Bank Holiday weekend, news broke that NFL star Travis Kelce popped the big question to music icon Taylor Swift on August 26, after two years of dating.
The pair shared snaps of their engagement photo shoot on social media (25.9m likes to date, just under the entire population of Mumbai or Manila), she in a black and white halterneck, he in a smart black button-down, flowers blooming all around them.
But forget the wardrobe, because all the internet can talk about is the rock on her finger.
Haven’t clapped eyes on it yet? It’s hard to miss. The antique-style engagement ring, designed by Artifex Fine Jewelry, takes up half of Swift’s knuckle and features a huge colourless old mine cut diamond as its centrepiece. You can only tell so much about the ring from a few pictures, but Eliza Walter, founder of jeweller Lylie, said: ‘Taylor’s ring features an elongated cushion-cut diamond in a vintage-style setting – I would estimate it to be upwards of 5cts’. Cost? Some experts have estimated it at more than $1m, while Heavenly London’s Maddy Sangster puts it at “around £500,000”.
Not exactly pocket change, then. Still, where Swift goes, a tide of trends inevitably follows, and the latest acquisition to her jewellery box will, one presumes, be no different.
What is an old mine cut diamond?
The rare choice of cut is fuelling TnT’s engagement chatter. Its main characteristics are a square-ish shape with rounded edges. They’re usually hand-cut and were the height of popularity in the Victorian and Georgian eras. The modern version is the brilliant cut, but old mine has a warmer, softer sparkle that channels antique charm.
Where to shop for an XL gemstone ring
Love the look, but don’t have millionaires’ requisite deep pockets? There are a few avenues you can explore to lower the cost of owning a sparkler of your own: lab-grown diamonds.
These cultured artificial stones look and shine in the same way as their mined counterparts; the difference is they take less than a month to grow as opposed to billions of years, and skip the deforestation and unsustainable practices involved with harvesting originals.
Of course, you don’t have to wait until someone gets on bended knee to enjoy a coveted piece of jewellery. Cocktail rings offer all the fun of wearing gobstopper-sized jewellery at a far more palatable price point.
If you’re inspired by America’s pop royal couple to upgrade your jewellery box, we’ve tracked down the treasures to invest in right now.
Shop the edit below
Best diamond jewellery shops: Where to buy online in the UK
Best place to buy engagement rings online in the UK 2025
Best enamel jewellery to bring kaleidoscopic colour to your collection
Where to buy gemstones online with UK delivery
Dua Lipa’s chunky engagement ring: Cool girl dupes
Best watch brands you may not have heard of for the discerning timepiece wearer
Chisholm Hunter Platinum 2.00ct Princess Cut Lab Grown Diamond Halo Solitaire Ring
There's no missing this Chisholm Hunter design, which features a 2ct lab-grown diamond front and centre. The halo design sees smaller stones surrounding the centrepiece, upping the strength of its dazzle.
Buy now £1500.00, Chisholm Hunter
Viviana Halil The Aurora Premium Zirconia Ring In Sterling Silver
Gleaming on a sterling silver band, this ring is made to be seen. The Aurora's 6ct emerald-cut solitaire demands attention while the halo arrangement of smaller round stones enhances its sparkle. Available to buy now in five sizes.
Buy now £187.00, Wolf & Badger
Brilliant Earth Soiree Prasiolite and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
A coloured gemstone can attract as many admiring glances as a clear one, as proven by ethical jeweller Brilliant Earth. Its pale green prasiolite is flanked by two smaller white diamonds, adding to its beauty. It's about the same size as Taylor Swift's engagement ring too, but for only a snip of the rumoured price.
Buy now £1900.00, Brilliant Earth
Vrai The Five Stone Heirloom Emerald Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
If it's an heirloom you're looking for, it's an heirloom Vrai has on the cards. This five-stone ring is made with baguette-shaped diamonds set on a thin platinum, white gold, yellow gold or rose gold band to ensure they stay in the spotlight.
Buy now £1764.00, Vrai
Thomas Sabo Ring with large orange stone and stars gold plated
Bring sunset vibes to your jewellery collection with this Thomas Sabo stunner. An orange glass-ceramic stone sits on a yellow gold-plated 925 Sterling Silver base with white zirconia gems on either side in star-shaped frames. A real head-turner.
Buy now £70.00, Thomas Sabo
Laura Vann 18ct Gold-Plated Vermeil Silver Olive White Topaz and Green Stone Bombe Ring
Best accessorised with a dry martini in the ring-bearing hand, this beautiful bombe ring by Laura Vann shines whether you wear it on its own or with the rest of the pieces in your family vault. The centre stone is a round brilliant cut white topaz, sandwiched between green cubic zirconia stones on either side.
Buy now £195.00, Liberty
