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When Taylor Swift announced this morning that she and Travis Kelce were engaged, there was one thing and one thing only on my mind: her engagement ring. Not exactly an original thought, since an engagement ring is easily one of the most exciting talking points from a celebrity engagement, but Swift’s ring, and the diamond in particular, is especially noteworthy.
Kelce reportedly worked with Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry to create the custom ring, with an Old Mine cut diamond of between eight and 10 carats as the central stone. The yellow gold, bezel-set ring has a distinctly vintage feel, thanks in part to the filigree detailing on the band.
“The hand-engraved filigree work along the band is a nod to antique craftsmanship, offering a delicate, lace-like quality that complements the Old Mine diamond perfectly,” explains Toya Worsley, founder of Lindelli.
But of course, the antique central stone is what lends additional old-world charm to the ‘Love Story’ singer’s ring. The stone is widely regarded as a romantic choice for people who favour nostalgia, old world charm, and personality over dazzling looks. If that sounds familiar, then you’re right.
The ring itself might just be a nod to Swift’s catalogue of music, which has tracked her all-too-relatable journey to finding her forever love. The perfectly imperfect, hand-cut diamond at the centre of Swift’s ring is the perfect choice for the artist, and we’re sure Kelce knew that when designing the ring.
Not to mention, we can’t help but wonder whether this may signal a rise in interest for the Old Mine cut diamond. Here’s everything to know about the romantic Old Mine cut diamond.
What Is An Old Mine Cut Diamond?
An Old Mine cut diamond is a hand-cut antique style that predates the 1930s, according to Anna Whiting, General Manager of Cushla Whiting. “These stones were cut by skilled artisans using techniques passed down through generations — methods that are now lost to time,” Whiting tells ELLE Australia.
“Taylor’s diamond is essentially an antique, elongated cushion shape with a high crown, deep pavilion, and chunky facets that create a distinctive, romantic sparkle. Although Old Mine cut diamonds are found at accessible price points, finding a genuine antique diamond in the size of Taylor’s is so incredibly rare, let alone in a high colour and clarity grade.”
As someone who also opted for an Old Mine cut diamond when selecting their engagement ring, I can vouch for the difficulty in finding a pristine diamond. For many, including me, that’s part of the allure. Old Mine cut diamonds are knows for their slightly irregular shape, thanks to the hand-cut nature of the diamonds. The jewellery I sourced my ring from lovingly referred to what some may perceive as flaws as inclusions, and for many, this is an obvious indicator of the romantic and storied history these stones often have.
This is a sentiment that Worsley echoes. “It comes down to character. Natural Old Mine Cuts are defined by their hand-crafted irregularities,” they say. “Their cushion shape, larger facets, high crown, and open culet give them a softer, more candlelit glow — quite literally, as many were originally cut by hand under candlelight.” This distinction is important, says Worsley, because while antique stones may not have the same brilliant sparkle as more modern stones, they glow with an “ethereal, almost hypnotic softness”, which only adds to the romance of the stone.
The experts we spoke to are in agreement that Kelce did a very good job with the ring. “It’s fair to say that Travis has absolutely nailed it in choosing a diamond for Taylor which represents how he sees her, one of a kind and incredibly rare,” adds Whiting.
Are Old Mine Cut Diamonds A Big Engagement Ring Trend In 2025?
Now that Taylor Swift has declared them the most romantic diamond choice, simply by selecting one as her own? Yes. But there are a few other reasons these hand-cut diamonds may become a prevailing trend in the second half of the year.
Sustainability is a complex conversation in the context of our capitalise society, but one thing most experts can agree on is that adding fewer products into the marketplace is always a good thing. So, by that definition, opting for an antique stone that was mined and cut at least 100 years ago is likely to be a more sustainable choice than selecting a brand new diamond.
Combined with the sustainability aspect and romance of selecting an antique diamond that has its own history, it’s not hard to see why this may end up being a larger trend following Swift’s engagement announcement.
“[Old Mine cut diamonds] represent everything modern couples value: sustainability (they’re recycled), uniqueness (each is hand-cut and different), and authenticity (genuine historical pieces),” affirms Whiting. “Taylor’s choice will absolutely accelerate this trend; she’s chosen romance over flashiness, history over novelty.” This is a trend Whiting has noticed at Cushla Whiting, with pieces like the Isabella Old Mine Cut Antique Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, $13,7000, becoming increasingly popular.
Where Can You Source An Old Mine Cut Diamond?
Though it is possible to find an Ole Mine cut diamond at auction houses and in the glass cabinets of vintage stores, visiting a jewellery who specialises in rare and antique stones is a good place to start. I sourced my engagement ring from New York-based jewellery Andria Barbone, which specialises in only antique rings and stones, and also creates custom pieces from their large collection of sourced stones.
Closer to home, Cushla Whiting offers a selection of museum-quality Old Mine cut diamonds, which the brand’s co-founder sources directly from Antwerp Diamond Borse. “Demand for these rare pieces has been steadily increasing, and Taylor’s choice only reaffirms what we’ve long championed: there is nothing quite like the character and charm of a true antique diamond,” says Whiting.
If you want the antique charm but don’t want to navigate tracking down a rarer stone, you can also now opt for lab grown versions, or antique cuts that emulate a similar look.
The post The Romantic Reason Travis Kelce Picked A Hand-Cut Diamond For Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring appeared first on ELLE.
