'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson has been forced to sell a USD 250,000 gold and turquoise ring once owned by English novelist Jane Austen after a museum raised enough cash to keep the item in the UK.
The 31-year-old, who is a fan of the 19th-century author, bought the ring at a London auction where she paid more than five times the reserve price of USD 48,000, reported Aceshowbiz.
However, the UK government imposed a temporary export ban in August as lawmakers hoped enough money could be raised to buy it from Clarkson and put it on public display.
Jane Austen's House Museum announced it had raised the USD 250,000 needed to match Clarkson's bid and keep the ring at home.
Despite losing the ring, Clarkson said she was delighted that the museum had been able to raise money to buy back the historical jewelry piece.
"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," she said.
