The $15k Worth of Jewellery Signifying Taylor Swift’s Artistic Victory
Back in 2019, Taylor Swift’s former label, Big Machine Records, was acquired by music executive Scooter Braun, resulting in the transfer of ownership of the master recordings for her first six albums. The superstar publicly expressed her frustration at not being given the opportunity to buy back her masters, calling the situation one of the hardest she had ever faced in her career. In response, she launched an ambitious and unprecedented project: re-recording her early albums in a bid to reclaim ownership and artistic control over her work.
If you’ve noticed Taylor re-releasing her old albums over the past few years – now branded as “Taylor’s Version” – this is exactly why. Each re-recorded album allows her to own and control the new master recordings, effectively undercutting the commercial value of the originals now held by others. So far, she has re-released Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version), Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – all of which have been met with critical and commercial success, and embraced by fans eager to support her ownership journey. Alongside each album, Taylor has dropped beautiful vinyl versions that are as tempting as they are costly to collect in full.
Now, after years of legal wrangling and public battles, Taylor has announced a major victory: she has officially repurchased her original master recordings from Shamrock Capital, the investment firm that acquired them from Scooter Braun. The reported price tag? A staggering $360 million – a powerful testament to both the enduring value of her catalogue and the importance of creative ownership in the modern music industry.
To mark the milestone, Taylor took to Instagram with a series of effortlessly striking images. Seated on the floor against a minimalist white backdrop, she exuded quiet confidence in a Khaite polo sweater, light-wash denim, and classic white sneakers – a look that perfectly balanced ease and intention. Her original albums were thoughtfully spread around her, serving as a subtle yet powerful tribute to the journey of reclaiming her work. While her outfit was understated, her jewellery added layers of elegance and symbolism, with diamond experts highlighting the meaningful significance behind each carefully chosen piece.
According to Maxwell Stone of UK jeweller Steven Stone, Taylor wore two rings in the shoot. The first, a Tiffany & Co. “T” diamond ring, crafted in 18k gold and set with round brilliant diamonds, represents a deeply personal statement – a sleek nod to her initial and a quiet assertion of identity. The second ring, a Jacquie Aiche Evil Eye design in 14k gold with pavé diamonds and a striking blue centre stone, embodies protection and empowerment – fitting symbols for an artist reclaiming her voice and legacy. The evil eye clearly carries personal significance for Taylor, who has incorporated the symbol into her looks on several occasions in recent years. In September 2023, she was photographed in New York City wearing a Jacquie Aiche bracelet and coordinating necklace, both featuring the protective motif.
Adding to the symbolism, Taylor also wore the iconic Panthère de Cartier watch, a piece she has been spotted wearing on several previous occasions. Made from yellow gold and featuring the brand’s signature chain-link design, the timepiece elegantly reflects the time, resilience, and unwavering patience required to regain control of her music – and, by extension, her narrative.
Of course, such meaningful luxury comes at a price. Maxwell estimates the total value of Taylor’s jewellery to be around $15,410 – with the Tiffany ring retailing at $2,925, the Jacquie Aiche ring at $2,485, and the Cartier watch at approximately $10,000. He points out that the total value is probably even higher, given the delicate chain necklace visible in the photos – though the exact piece remains a mystery. That’s classic Taylor for you, always keeping us guessing!
Written by Laura Dean
Laura Dean is the digital PR lead for UK jeweller Steven Stone, bringing over a decade of experience in both music PR and journalism. A published music writer for the past 11 years, she has covered everything from intimate club gigs to major festival stages. Laura studied Criminology and Psychology at Leeds Beckett University and combines her understanding of human behaviour with a sharp eye for storytelling. When she’s not crafting campaigns or writing about music, you’ll find her at live shows or curating her ever-growing vinyl collection.