Justin Timberlake has bought a vintage ring for girlfriend Jessica Biel.

The 'SexyBack' singer, who has been dating Biel since early last year, splashed out on the expensive accessory during their romantic holiday in Rome, Italy.

Biel picked out the ring, along with a diamond bracelet also from the '70s, at a tiny, unmarked shop in a cobbled street near Via Condotti, Rome's most exclusive shopping street.

Shop owner Nicola Boncompagni said: "I could tell they had very refined taste because they asked about the history of all the jewellery. They seemed shy but in love."

The couple, who visited the shop after a friend recommended it, asked the sales assistant to empty the huge safe of its most expensive pieces so Biel could try everything on.

When Biel admired a 17th century necklace, Timberlake serenaded her with a song from her new period drama 'Easy Virtue'.

After spending an hour in the shop, Timberlake and Biel asked for the jewellery they had chosen to be sent straight to their luxurious hotel suite.

Earlier this year, it was claimed the pair were preparing to marry.