Jane Austen Supporters Have Done Something Incredible

Jane Austen's turquoise and gold ring, which Kelly Clarkson bought at auction last year for £150,000, will remain in the UK on display at Jane Austen's House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire

Jane Austen's turquoise and gold ring, which Kelly Clarkson bought at auction last year for £150,000, will remain in the UK on display at Jane Austen's House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire.

Culture minister Ed Vaizey had placed a temporary export ban on the ring until 30 September to stop singer Kelly Clarkson from taking it back to the United States with her.

The American Idol winner purchased the turquoise and gold ring at auction last year for £152,450, outbidding the Jane Austen House Museum, which has since recieved donations for its Bring the Ring Home campaign.

The museum raised funds from all over the globe to re-acquire the heirloom and received an anonymous donation of £100,000 in August, reports BBC News.

Clarkson was seen performing at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards and at President Obama's inauguration wearing what is believed to be a copy of the turquoise and gold Austen ring, one of the few pieces of jewellery owned by the celebrated author, whose beloved novel Pride and Prejudice turns 200 this year.

'It's clear from the number of people who gave generously to the campaign just how admired Jane Austen remains to this day,' said culture minister Ed Vaizey.

Kelly Clarkson is taking the news in seemingly good spirits and released the following statement:

'The ring is a beautiful national treasure and I am happy to know that so many Jane Austen fans will get to see it at Jane Austen's House Museum.'

The ring will go on display at Jane Austen's House Museum in Hampshire in 2014.

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