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Taylor Swift’s Ring Designer Artifex and Sotheby’s Are Creating a New Capsule Collection
The rings are part of Sotheby’s monthly Gem Drop and feature three different rare gemstones.
Published: November 4, 2025
Written by: Jane Asher
Artifex, the brand behind Taylor Swift’s antique elongated cushion-cut diamond engagement ring, is teaming up with Sotheby’s New York with an exciting, limited edition capsule collaboration defined by unique natural diamonds. The Artifex and Sotheby’s collection will appear in Sotheby’s Gem Drop Auction, open for bidding November 10th through the 13th.
Meet the Expert
- Kindred Lubeck is a 30-year-old goldsmith, hand engraver, and vintage jewelry collector who started creating jewelry in 2019.
- She is the designer behind Taylor Swift’s engagement ring.
- As the founder of Artifex Fine Jewelry, she merges traditional craftsmanship with a modern flair, creating bespoke pieces that celebrate sentiment, symbolism, and individuality.
- Her work is characterized by intricate engraving, antique influences, and meticulous attention to detail, has earned recognition among collectors, jewelers, and cultural figures alike.
Artifex and Sotheby’s: Get to Know the Designer
Artifex is helmed by 30-year-old goldsmith, hand engraver, and vintage jewelry collector Kindred Lubeck, who started creating jewelry in 2019. 6 years later, she’s become one of the hottest jewelers in the industry, creating bespoke pieces with personality, custom flair, and of course, unique natural diamonds. In her designs, Lubeck words to merge traditional craftsmanship with modern flair, creating bespoke pieces that celebrate sentiment, symbolism, and individuality. Her work is immediately recognizable by its intricate engraving, antique influences, and meticulous attention to detail.
“I’ve always been drawn to the details, the things that make a piece feel truly special. Hand engraving allows me to leave a piece of myself in every ring, transforming each gemstone into something unique that carries a story,” said Artifex founder Kindred Lubeck. “Working with Sotheby’s for this capsule gave me the chance to bring that level of care and creativity to a larger audience, and I’m thrilled to share these pieces with collectors who appreciate both artistry and individuality.”
Artifex and Sotheby’s: The Rings
Artifex and Sotheby’s capsule collection includes three one-of-a-kind pieces in her signature, vintage-inspired style: A 4-carat Old Mine-cut diamond ring, an 8-carat Old Mine diamond in a rich cognac hue, and a vivid 5-carat blue sapphire. The stones were sourced by Jogani, and each one is set in gold with Lubeck’s signature hand-engraved details.
“Every detail is intentional, reflecting Lubeck’s dedication to craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, turning each piece in the collection into a modern heirloom,” says Sotheby’s via a press release.
The collaboration comes at a fortuitous time—during Sotheby’s famous Gem Drop, the auction house’s monthly release of gems of all kinds, from white diamonds and colored diamonds to rare colored gemstones. These pieces are offered without a buyer’s premium, meaning the auction does not charge a fee in addition to the winning bid of an auction item. The Gem Drop is the perfect way to collect some of the world’s most beautiful diamonds and colored gemstones at competitive prices.
“By pairing Sotheby’s legacy in curating extraordinary, historically significant stones with Lubeck’s talent for transforming them into wearable works of art, this capsule brings together the very best of both worlds—heritage and exceptional design,” continues Sotheby’s.
Artifex and Sotheby’s: Rare Stones & Artistry
Buying stones with history and meaning is at the forefront of consumer activity today. It’s not about buying the biggest or most flawless gemstone, but finding the one that personally speaks to the buyer, “pieces with a story, a sense of individuality,” says Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s Head of Jewels, Americas and EMEA. “Kindred’s exquisite workmanship brings these jewels to life, elevating fine gemstones into designs that are unique, effortlessly timeless, and beautifully distinctive.”
Sotheby’s has always been committed to artistry and quality, and this capsule collection with Artifex only emphasizes this ethos, offering pieces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful and well-crafted. Lubeck has an extraordinary talent in bridging past and present by turning heritage materials into bespoke, modern pieces that can be worn today and by the next generation.
This month brings three exquisite rings to Sotheby’s; however, the auction house and Lubeck have plans to create two more pieces to bring to auction in December using two exceptional stones: A 5.14-carat Internally Flawless D color diamond and a 2-carat orangey pink diamond. These will be offered in Sotheby’s High Jewelry sale on December 9th.
Artifex: The Designer Behind Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring
Lubeck’s most famous design to date is, of course, Taylor Swift’s engagement ring from her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs running back Travis Kelce. According to Only Natural Diamonds Jewelry and Watch Editor Grant Mobley, Taylor Swift’s $750K engagement ring looked to be close to a 10-carat antique, elongated cushion-cut diamond, set on a hand-engraved, yellow gold band. “It’s a shape that beautifully blends vintage elegance with modern sophistication,” Mobley says. The style of the ring perfectly matches the vibe of the proposal—very Romeo and Juliet if they got a happy ending, a la Swift’s hit song, “Love Story.”
