Taylor Swift’s Old Mine Cut Diamond Sparks Engagement Buzz

NEW YORK, Aug. 27 (Reuters) - Pop superstar Taylor Swift’s engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has thrust the old mine cut diamond, the vintage-style stone at the heart of her ring, into the global spotlight.

Swift and Kelce announced their engagement on Tuesday via a joint Instagram post, sharing several photos from Kelce’s fairytale garden proposal. At the centre of the yellow-gold, bezel-set ring is an elongated old mine cut diamond estimated between eight and ten carats, hand-cut to exhibit a high crown, small table and chunky facets that date back to 18th- and 19th-century cutting styles.

Jewellery experts say the stone’s cushion-like shape with rounded corners and a visible culet reflects centuries-old craftsmanship, often executed under candlelight. Its rarity is underscored by its likely origin: before the rise of South African mines, such diamonds were sourced exclusively from India and Brazil, looted during colonial extraction or traded through early European networks, a history that underscores both the stone’s allure and contested provenance.

Despite its antique roots, the engagement ring’s estimated value-reported to range from $550,000 to $1 million-signals a modern resurgence in demand for recycled, sustainable gemstones with historical character. Industry observers predict that Swift’s choice will drive a broader revival of old mine cut diamonds, blending nostalgia with environmental consciousness as consumers seek unique, storied pieces over mass-produced alternatives.