Halle Berry has worn many forms of sparkle over her decades in Hollywood, but the newest one may be the most personal. Appearing on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Thursday night, the actress and producer cleared up questions surrounding her relationship with the musician Van Hunt, confirming that after nearly six years together, she had accepted his proposal. “Of course, I said ‘yes,’ she told Mr. Fallon.
Ms. Berry, who appeared to be wearing the ring at a London screening of her new film “Crime 101” on Jan. 28 and later during a talk at SiriusXM Studios in New York on Feb. 3, confirmed the engagement in an Instagram post from her interview with Mr. Fallon, which included a video in which she points to the ring. Fans flooded the comments with congratulatory messages.
Representatives for Ms. Berry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Although the designer of the ring remains unknown, jewelry experts say the diamond, set on a gold band and surrounded by dark-colored stones, suggests vintage inspiration rather than contemporary flash.
Lauren Grunstein, the vice president of the New York-based jewelry designer Verstolo Fine Jewelry, said the jewel resembles an antique ring from the early 20th century. She estimated it to be a one- to one-and-a-half-carat European-cut diamond, surrounded by what appear to be dark blue sapphires or possibly onyx, set in 18-carat yellow gold.
Ms. Grunstein said that the style is similar to Taylor Swift’s engagement ring, an elongated, old mine cushion-cut diamond set on a yellow gold band and designed by Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry in New York. “It evokes the same sentiment,” she said. “Halle and Taylor’s rings are part of a larger trend of vintage rings being in style. These rings tell a story — they have a history.” Ms. Berry’s ring, she added, showcases “fine craftsmanship and individuality.”
Ms. Berry, 59, and Mr. Hunt, 55, met in 2020 during the pandemic after being introduced through text messages by Mr. Hunt’s brother, who worked for the star’s menopause care company, Respin. They texted and spoke by phone for several months before meeting in person. In October 2024, she said on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast that Mr. Hunt was the first person she had dated for more than four years.
This most recent proposal wasn’t the first time he had asked Ms. Berry to marry him. During a June 2025 appearance on “Today With Jenna & Friends,” Mr. Hunt said that he had proposed before, saying: “I put out the proposal, and it’s still on hold, as you can see. It’s just out there, floating.”
Ms. Berry shared her perspective, saying: “Well, I’ve been married three times. Van has been married once, and so, no, we don’t feel like we have to get married to validate our love in any way. We don’t.”
Philip J. Weisner, a designer and owner of Kestenbaum & Weisner Fine Jewelry in New York, noted that the ring has a “mysterious air.” “This isn’t your typical Hollywood bling ring, which makes me think that it has some personal significance to either Halle or Van Hunt,” he said. “It’s quiet and understated.”
Beyond the story behind the ring, Briony Raymond, a New York-based fine jewelry designer whose atelier carries vintage pieces and counts celebrities such as Rihanna and ASAP Rocky among her clients, spoke about the distinctive design. “The architectural shape lends it a retro-era sensibility,” she said. Ms. Raymond noted that the jewel reflects a broader shift toward one-of-a-kind engagement rings.
“At a time when we’re oversaturated with imagery, jewelry that’s unique and stands out piques our interest,” she said. “This is very tasteful. The design itself gives it heft — the sum of its parts.”
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