Kelly Clarkson won a bid to own a ring from Literature icon Jane Austin, but won’t be able to sport the gold and turquoise ring just yet as Prime Minister Ed Vaizey has put a temporary hold on the ring in the hopes that the ring won’t leave the UK.
Clarkson dropped a reported £152,450 ($232,486.25) on the rare piece of jewelry, which is one of three pieces the Pride and Prejudice is said to have owned in her lifetime BBC reports.
Austin’s ring is noted as a rare part of history, having been passed on to her sister Cassendra following her death in 1817, then to her sister in law. This will be the first time the ring has left the family if Clarkson is granted the right to take the ring. At the moment Vaizey is asking anyone who is interested in the piece of history to come forward and bid before the deadline expires Sept. 30.
According to Contact Music, the deadline can be extended to December 30 if proof of "a serious intention to raise funds" surfaces.
Vaizey states, "Jane Austen's modest lifestyle and her early death mean that objects associated with her of any kind are extremely rare, so I hope that a UK buyer comes forward so this simple but elegant ring can be saved for the nation."
Image: ABC