Kelly Clarkson may be in trouble over a recent purchase; a Jane Austen museum has raised $155,000 to buy the ring back from the singer.
Jane Austen is the author of the famous, critically acclaimed novel "Pride and Prejudice." The writer died at age 41 in 1817, leaving the ring in question to her sister Cassandra. The ring left the family's possession after they sold it to Sotheby's auction last year, according to The New York Daily News.
The Daily News reports he ring was banned from leaving the country after the British government caught wind of the transaction. The Jane Austen's House Museum received an anonymous donation, but still needs almost 50,000 pounds more to purchase the ring back from Clarkson.
"We are two-thirds of the way there in 48 hours, which is tremendous, but we're not there yet," museum fundraiser Louise West told the Daily News.
West has no ill will towards Clarkson, but believes the ring should stay among Austen's remaining personal items.
"It is very good for Jane Austen PR that a young, famous American pop star expresses a love for her," West said.
Since the ring was placed for auction, Austen's former house turned museum has placed multiple bids on the item, but was reportedly outbid five times.
Clarkson eventually won the ring, but since the piece of jewelry is considered a national treasure, the British government intervened, according to the Daily News.
The museum has a December deadline to raise the money, which Clarkson has agreed to sell if they are successful.
"If we are successful, it will go to the museum and will be put on display. You will be able to come and see it alongside the other jewelry owned by Jane Austen. So in a way it will be coming home," West told Reuters.
