British government tells Kelly Clarkson: You can't have Jane Austen's ring

Miss Independent is being told by the British government to keep her distance. From Jane Austen's ring.

On Thursday, British Culture Minister Ed Vaizey put an export bar on a ring once owned by "Pride and Prejudice" author Jane Austen- an item that was purchased by Kelly Clarkson in an auction last year. The reason?

The official hopes a British buyer will come forward and purchase the relic instead. Vaizey says objects associated with the author are "extremely rare," adding that he hopes a U.K. buyer will save the ring "for the nation."

Idol winner Clarkson bought the gold and turquoise piece in 2012 for about $228,000. The ring is one of three existing pieces of jewelry to have belonged to Austen, reports the Independent. The author gave it to her sister, Cassandra, who passed the heirloom down the family until it was auctioned off.

Now if we were Clarkson, we would be mildly irritated over the bar. After all, what empowered woman doesn't want to rock out to life in an item once owned by a literary great?

Whatever, she's busy planning a wedding anyway.

The bar stands until Sept. 30. It can be extended to Dec. 30 if a "serious" bidder comes forward with intent to match Clarkson's bid.