Kelly Clarkson Can’t Take Jane Austen Ring Out Of The UK

Kelly Clarkson may have blown $230,000 on Jane Austen’s ring, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be able to cart the historic bauble out of the UK anytime soon.

Although the singer purchased the item at auction last year, Culture minister Ed Vaizey doesn’t want her taking the ring back with her to the United States. He’s placed a temporary export bar on the ring in hopes that a UK-based buyer will step forward.

“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,” Vaizey recently explained to the BBC.

The Culture minister Ed Vaizey described Jane Austen’s ring as a “national treasure.” Since Vaizey feels that the item should be “saved for the nation,” Kelly Clarkson won’t be allowed to take it home anytime soon.

At the moment, buyers have until September 30 to match the American Idol winner’s bid. However, this deadline could be extended to December if there’s proof that serious efforts are being made to generate the necessary cash.

The New York Daily News points out that Kelly Clarkson isn’t the only person who is struggling against an export block at the moment. Sir Henry Birkin’s Bentley Blower was purchased by an overseas bidder not too long ago. However, the car could remain in the country if a UK buyer matches the price.

Documents regarding the Gregory Expedition to Northern Australia and letters from General Wolfe are also barred from export at the moment.

Neither Clarkson nor her representatives have addressed the issue as of this writing. It’s also unknown if any serious bidders have stepped forward to take the item off her hands.

What do you think Kelly Clarkson and he fiasco surrounding Jane Austen’s ring? Do you think the singer should be allowed to take her purchase out of the UK?

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