Nick Boulle is ready to return to the track for the 2025 MOTUL Petit Le Mans

Nick Boulle of deBoulle returns to the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks in the six-hour IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event on the weekend of September 19-21, 2025. The United Autosports team features Boulle, Ben Hanley and Juan Manuel Correa. Four separate classes of cars will race simultaneously when the featured WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race starts at 10:40 am CT Sunday on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course. And the race is not measured by laps; it’s measured by time – a six-hour endurance race for the second consecutive year. Drivers from all over the world compete for overall victory but also for first place within their respective class. That unique format always keeps the racing interesting, and the varying speeds of the four classes of machines create intense racing within classes and plenty of traffic for the fastest classes to navigate for most of the race. The four classes of cars in the series are comprised of two styles of cars – prototype, which showcases the latest automotive technology and are designed uniquely for the racetrack; and GT, based on road-going production models. Teams also perform driver changes during selected pit stops, as drivers rotate in and out of the cars over the six-hour endurance race. So, let’s take a look at Boulle’s class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: The Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) is a closed-cockpit car developed by four approved constructors. In addition to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, LMP2 cars are eligible to compete in other global series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The three-day festival showcasing the pinnacle of sports car racing kicks off on Friday, September 19. Race fans in the IMSA infield can get up close and personal with their favorite sports cars, drivers and teams. 10:15 AM CT - 11:45 AM IMSA WeatherTech Championship - Practice #1 Qualifications for the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks weekend will occur on Saturday. Plus, a support series race that runs late into the evening. 2:05 PM CT - 2:20 PM  IMSA WeatherTech Championship – Qualifying LMP2 The TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks showcasing the pinnacle of sports car racing, which gets underway Sunday at 10:40 AM CT. With 18 different manufacturers currently competing in IMSA and unparalleled fan access to the garage area throughout the weekend, race fans in the IMS infield can get up close and personal with their favorite sports cars, drivers and teams. 10:40 AM CT - 4:40 PM  IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks

A Love Letter to the Old Mine Cut Diamond When Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce proposed to Taylor Swift in August 2025, the world’s eyes weren’t just on the couple, they were on her ring. Set in warm yellow gold, Swift’s engagement ring features a breathtaking old mine cut diamond, an antique style rarely seen in contemporary proposals. Almost instantly, jewelers across the globe reported a surge in interest for this storied cut. Vogue called it “a major resurgence,” while collectors and romantics alike began seeking out diamonds that offered not just sparkle, but soul. Born in an age lit only by flickering candlelight, the old mine cut was shaped by hand to glimmer with a warmth that seemed almost alive. Once the jewel of candlelit parlors and royal courts, the old mine cut has returned to the spotlight. And no moment better encapsulates this resurgence than the recent engagement of Taylor Swift, whose ring has already inspired a global revival of antique diamond styles. No Two Were Exactly Alike The old mine cut emerged in the early 18th century, during a period when diamonds were admired for their fire rather than their brilliance, and since electricity had yet to be discovered, lapidaries (diamond cutters) worked under the glow of candles and oil lamps. Unlike modern diamonds, which are created by computer-guided lasers and precision machinery, lapidaries of the 18th century carved and shaped diamonds by hand, which resulted in softer finishes, warmer colors, and unique, asymmetrical facets that captured light with an almost painterly softness. With their high crowns, deep pavilions, and visible culets, old mine-cut diamonds carried an imperfect, soulful sparkle created through the feel and intuition that can be captured only by human hands. The Stone of Royals and Diplomats It is no coincidence that many of history’s most storied diamonds were cut in this style. Yet it was during the reign of Queen Victoria that the old mine cut truly flourished. The 19th century, marked by sentimentality, saw jewelry become a language of love and memory: lockets held miniature portraits, mourning jewels preserved strands of hair, and engagement rings carried the weight of eternal matrimony. Queen Victoria’s deep affection for diamonds helped elevate them as symbols of devotion throughout Europe and America. Old mine-cut diamonds adorned rings, brooches, pendants, and tiaras. Cardinal Jules Mazarin, France’s Chief Minister in the 17th century, collected diamonds with the dual perspective of a statesman and a romantic. Among his treasures was the Grand Mazarin, a pink-hued stone later fashioned into an old, brilliant mine cut. For centuries, it graced the French Crown Jewels, enduring revolutions and restorations, until its sale at auction in 2017. Then there is the Beau Sancy, a nearly 35-carat diamond worn by Marie de’ Medici at her coronation in 1610, which also holds a significant place in history. While it predates the old mine cut, its influence is clear. The Beau Sancy reflects a lineage of diamond cutting that would eventually lead to the romantic squareness of the old mine. The Modern Muse Though the old mine cut eventually gave way to the old European cut in the late 19th century, its spirit never faded. Instead, it lingered in antique collections, passed down through families, waiting for a generation ready to fall in love with vintage-inspired craftsmanship once more. That moment arrived not only in jewelry houses and auction rooms, but also in the hands of Hollywood’s icons. Natalie Portman’s glamorous engagement ring featured an estimated 4-carat old-mine cut diamond surrounded by a double halo of pavé diamonds in a sustainable, recycled platinum, epitomized modern elegance anchored in heritage. Designed by Jamie Wolf, it married ethical sourcing with antique craftsmanship. And now, with pop sensation Taylor Swift’s romantic mine-cut diamond engagement ring, the antique-inspired old mine cut has captured a new generation’s imagination. Swift, known for her storytelling and love of symbolism and all things based in Literature and English, could not have chosen a more fitting stone. In fact, many experts are now weighing in and believe that Swift’s one-of-a-kind ring was crafted entirely by hand. Her choice has already ignited what Vogue has called a “major resurgence” in antique diamond styles. Jewelers are reporting increased interest in old mine and old European cuts, with collectors and couples alike seeking stones that feel personal, storied, and soulful. An Everlasting Diamond The imperfections of the old mine cut are precisely what make it extraordinary. Each asymmetrical facet, each softened edge, glimmers with a warmth more romantic than any calculated brilliance. Where modern cuts dazzle with precision, the old mine cut whispers with soul. Its large culet — that small window at the diamond’s heart — is not a flaw but an invitation to look deeper, a reminder that true beauty lies not only on the surface, but in depth and character. In an age where perfection is often manufactured, the old mine cut stands as a quiet rebellion: a jewel that embraces individuality and celebrates the hand of the artisan. It is a cut that asks us to slow down, to savor history, to feel the fire of candlelight in its glow. Taylor Swift’s ring may have brought this antique style back into the headlines, but its allure has never been dependent on trend. From the treasures of monarchs to the keepsakes of lovers, from the salons of Paris to the stages of Hollywood, the old mine cut endures because it carries within it something more than sparkle. It carries memory. It carries devotion. It carries the poetry of time itself.

From Mine to Masterpiece: The Ethical Journey of a Luxury Gemstone Explore how luxury gemstones are ethically sourced, responsibly crafted, and elevated into timeless treasures. A gemstone’s journey begins far beneath the Earth's surface, born from pressure, time, and nature’s quiet alchemy. However, many believe that obtaining, cutting, polishing, and using a diamond to create an engagement ring is a simple process. The truth is, each gem travels a path marked by human hands, generations of expertise, and an unwavering commitment to ethical craftsmanship.  At deBoulle, we believe that luxury should never come at the expense of responsibility. Join us as we trace the thoughtful journey of the world’s finest gemstones, exploring the legacy of care and consciousness behind jeweled treasures that are passed down for generations.  If you’ve been searching for something unique for that special person in your life, check out Natural Pink Diamonds - the Rarest Treasures in the World of Gemstones, where we take a closer look at the truly gorgeous world of pink diamonds. Traceability and Transparency | Understanding the Journey Today’s discerning collectors want more than beauty; they want jewelry that is ethically sourced and manufactured. Consumers are now more attuned with their purchasing decisions and want to know the impact their choices have on the communities and countries where these gemstones are found.  The ethical sourcing of gemstones starts with each person in the supply chain committing to transparency and traceability. Ethical sourcing begins not at the final polish, but from the very first discovery. From origin to atelier, responsible sourcing means protecting communities, uplifting economies, and honoring the earth’s rarest gifts. Avoiding conflict-sourced stones and prioritizing regions free of exploitation, child labor, and ecological harm is not just industry best practice; it is a standard of excellence that we at deBoulle Diamond and Jewelry hold ourselves to.  Responsible Mining Practices Every gem begins its story in the earth, but not all are unearthed in the same way. Ethical suppliers partner only with mines that uphold the highest standards of environmental stewardship and human dignity. These mines prioritize land restoration, water conservation, and sustainable extraction techniques that protect the regions where the gemstones are found. Ethical gemstone suppliers will ensure the gemstones they are purchasing come from: Mines that adhere to strict environmental standards limit their operations’ impact on the environment, and promote sustainable mining techniques, land management, conservation efforts, and water conservation.  Mines that aren’t located in conflict zones where the sale of gemstones is used to fuel ongoing conflicts within the region. Mines that treat their workers fairly, pay a reasonable wage, and ensure that workers have a safe working environment. Fair trade may have started in the cocoa and coffee bean industry, but it’s now made its way into other enterprises, including the world of fine jewelry. The idea behind this movement is to empower miners, cutters, and local artisans with better economic opportunities, education, and access to healthcare. Effective fair-trade initiatives will empower local communities to build economic stability, improve access to education, and provide greater healthcare opportunities. As a consumer, when you purchase gemstones from fair trade sources, you are choosing to positively impact people and communities while helping to build a more sustainable industry.  The Many Hands That Shape a Gem Though their brilliance may appear effortless, gemstones follow a winding, meticulous journey before arriving in a deBoulle showcase. The first step in the process is discovery in a mine. There are various mines located worldwide, with different mines and regions focusing on distinct gemstones. After careful extraction, the gems are sorted by hand: their clarity, color, and potential are examined by trained eyes that see not just what they are, but what they could become. From there, they pass into the hands of cutters and polishers, artists in their own right, who shape light and geometry with astonishing precision, where vision and craftsmanship transform them into wearable works of art.  At deBoulle Diamond and Jewelry, we’re committed to using diamonds and other gemstones that have been ethically sourced and sustainably mined.  Explore deBoulle If you need assistance picking out the perfect piece or want to create a piece of custom jewelry, our in-house designers would be honored to bring it to life.  Discover our stunning collection of high-end jewelry in Dallas and Houston at deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry, featuring exquisite diamond engagement rings and luxury timepieces perfect for that special proposal. For bespoke creations or expert guidance, our team is here to help you find and create the perfect piece.