Taylor Swift's Engagement Ring: Old Mine Cut Explained (+ Affordable Lab Grown Alternatives)

Short answer: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram on August 26, 2025. Swift's publicist confirmed the center stone is an old mine brilliant cut diamond, and the ring was designed by Kelce with New York goldsmith Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry. The elongated, cushion-shaped stone sits in a hand-engraved yellow gold mount. The carat weight has never been released; most jewelers estimate 8 to 10 carats. The easiest way to get the look today is a lab grown diamond cut in an old mine or antique cushion style.

The Ring at a Glance

We only state what has been confirmed or widely reported, and label estimates as estimates.

What Is an Old Mine Cut?

The old mine cut was the standard diamond cut from roughly the 1700s to the late 1800s. It is named after the historic mines of India and Brazil that supplied the rough. Cutters shaped each stone by hand and by eye, so no two are identical.

Its signature features are a soft, squarish cushion outline, a small table, a high crown, a deep pavilion and large, chunky facets, usually 58 of them. Many also have an open culet, which shows as a tiny dot in the center. The cut was designed to sparkle by candlelight, so it throws broad, warm flashes of fire instead of sharp white sparkle.

Large old mine diamonds are rare today. Many were re-cut into modern round brilliants during the 20th century.

Old Mine Cut vs. Modern Round Brilliant

Why the Antique Look Is Trending

The old mine revival started before this engagement, but the ring made it mainstream. Buyers have been moving away from identical-looking stones toward pieces with character: chunky gold, hand engraving, milgrain and antique cuts. Swift has said she showed Kelce a video of Lubeck's hand-engraving work long before the proposal, which is part of why the ring feels personal rather than generic.

Getting the Look with a Lab Grown Diamond

Genuine antique old mine diamonds are rare, often uncertified, and priced at a steep premium. A lab grown diamond cut in an old mine or antique cushion style gives the same silhouette and warm sparkle for far less.

Lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically the same material as mined diamonds. Grading is where buyers should pay attention:

• IGI grades lab grown diamonds on the full 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat).
• GIA stopped full 4Cs grading for lab grown diamonds at the end of 2025. It now issues a quality assessment that labels a stone Premium or Standard, along with shape, carat weight and basic proportions.

If you want exact color and clarity grades on a lab grown stone, ask for an IGI report. When comparing "old mine style" stones, look for the real features: a small table, a high crown, chunky facets and, ideally, an open culet. A modern cushion cut labelled "antique" is not the same thing.

How to Shop an Old Mine Style Ring

1. Decide between a true antique stone and a newly cut one. They are priced very differently, and only a new stone comes with a modern grading report.
2. Match the setting to the era. Warm yellow gold, hand engraving and milgrain suit the cut; a bezel like Swift's also protects the stone's edges.
3. Don't chase the whitest color. Old mine cuts were often cut from warmer rough, so a near-colorless stone looks period-correct.
4. Check the report. IGI gives full 4Cs grades on lab grown stones; GIA gives Premium or Standard.
5. Insure the ring from day one.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Taylor Swift's engagement ring an old mine cut?

Yes. Her publicist confirmed it is an old mine brilliant cut diamond.

Who designed Taylor Swift's engagement ring?

Travis Kelce designed it with Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry in New York.

How many carats is Taylor Swift's engagement ring?

The weight has not been released. Most jewelers estimate 8 to 10 carats.

Is an old mine cut the same as a cushion cut?

No. The modern cushion cut is a more precise descendant. The old mine is the hand-cut ancestor, with a smaller table, higher crown and larger facets.

Can I get an old mine cut in a lab grown diamond?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds can be cut in old mine and antique cushion styles and graded by IGI on the 4Cs.

What setting suits an old mine cut best?

Yellow gold bezels, like Swift's, plus six- or eight-prong solitaires and hand-engraved bands.

How do I care for a vintage-style ring?

Mild soap and water, a yearly check of the setting, and insurance. The cut does not change durability.

Sources

• Taylor Swift's jeweler on designing the ring — NBC News / TODAY
• Taylor Swift's ring and old mine diamonds — Sotheby's
• Artifex and Sotheby's — Only Natural Diamonds
• GIA changes lab grown grading — JCK
• Lab grown diamond grading — IGI

AUTHOR BIO

Aumsri Pradhan

Founder, Ivevar Luxury

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Aumsri Pradhan is the founder of Ivevar Luxury, a Surat-based fine jewelry brand that designs and handcrafts lab grown diamond and moissanite jewelry in its own workshop. She leads the brand's design and customer experience, from engagement rings and bridal sets to custom pieces made to each client's story. Through the Ivevar blog, she shares practical guidance on lab grown diamonds, moissanite, diamond grading and ring design to help buyers choose with confidence.

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