Kelly Clarkson banned from taking Jane Austen’s ring outside of U.K.

A little-known fact about superstar singer Kelly Clarkson, who shot to fame after winning American Idol: She’s a big Jane Austen fan.

At an auction last year, Clarkson anonymously bought a gold and turquoise ring that once belonged to the 19th-century British novelist, paying more than $237,000. Now, the pop star’s been banned from taking the ring out of Britain—on the grounds that it’s just too valuable a part of the country’s literary history.

“Jane Austen’s modest lifestyle and her early death mean that objects associated with her of any kind are extremely rare,” said Culture Minister Ed Vaizey . “I hope that a U.K. buyer comes forward so this simple but elegant ring can be saved for the nation.”

A decision on the export licence has been put off to Sept. 30. Until then, Clarkson could feed her love of Austen as the rest of us do: by watching the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice miniseries, starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.