Since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement announcement earlier today, the old mine cut diamond has already become a major topic of conversation. Millions of eyes turned to the unique, round brilliant stone on the pop star’s finger, along with the ring design by Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry. The diamond shown bezel set on a thin, gold band that appears to have either engravings or additional in-laid stones, and understandably has everyone talking thanks to its large size and stunning radiance—plus, of course, its famous recipient.
“Taylor’s ring appears to be somewhere between 8 and 10 carats,” estimates Stephanie Gottlieb, a frequent jeweler of choice for Swift as she visited her now-fiancé at Chiefs games. “A natural diamond of this size could range anywhere from $400,000 to $800,000 depending on the particular specs.” Of course, the photo has sparked much debate around the exact size and cost of the ring. Daniela Tarantino, VP of merchandising of James Allen and Blue Nile, says, “We estimate it’s somewhere between 10 to 15 carats total, set on a yellow gold band, likely costing between $750,000 to $1,000,000.” While Kelce’s engagement ring budget might be a tad bit higher than the average person who plans to get down on one knee, the choice of diamond is one that has been on the rise within the past year.
Old Mine Cut Diamond Characteristics
“We have been seeing a lot of our clients interested in antique stones that offer something a little bit more unique, particularly in light of the rise of lab-grown engagement rings,” says Gottlieb. “Antique stones offer character that you can’t replicate.” Also called an “old mine” diamond, their age and construction is what makes this stone even more covetable. “What makes Taylor’s ring particularly captivating is its heritage and rarity,” says jeweler Suzie Saltzman. “Natural old mine diamonds are scarce, each one cut by hand centuries ago, often with an open culet—the tiny facet at the bottom of the diamond that, to the untrained eye, can look like a hole. This hallmark of antique craftsmanship, paired with the diamond’s unique proportions, makes Swift’s ring entirely one-of-a-kind.”
When designing an engagement ring with an old mine cut diamond, you don’t need many additions to spruce up the center stone. In Swift’s case, her large rock is bezel set on a split-shank gold band. “This type of stone is nicely suited as a solitaire that really allows the stone to be the star of the show, or accented with side stones, which gives a fuller overall appearance,” notes Gottlieb.
Always on top of trends, it’s no surprise that vintage-lover Swift turned to an old mine cut diamond ring for her own engagement. According to Pinterest’s 2025 Wedding Trend Report, searches for vintage wedding rings from the 1920s are up 1458% and vintage cushion cuts have risen 175% in the past year. “Swift’s engagement will undoubtedly catapult this trend even further,” says Saltzman. “Collectors and brides alike are seeking diamonds with history, charm, and individuality—qualities this ring exudes. With tariffs affecting natural diamonds and supply dwindling, this specific cut and proportion are poised to become even more coveted—and expensive.”
How to Source an Old Mine Cut Diamond
If you’re considering selecting an old mine cut diamond for your own engagement ring, it’s best to work with a trusted jeweler who will be able to help source this rare stone. Sometimes, to-be-weds will be able to find one by searching within jewelry cases of antique stores. If you find an old mine cut ring to wear on your left hand, know you will be in good company with the most talked pop star—and proposal—of the 2020s.
