TrendsDec 03, 2025
Miley Cyrus Debuts Edgy Engagement RingTrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set Stunner
Sourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
Halle Berry is engaged to Van Hunt, a Grammy-winning musician. Dispelling rumors that she said “no” to Hunt’s proposal, the actress confirmed her engagement on a late-night talk show last week. Her ring, pictured, dates to the Retro period. (Photo courtesy of For Future Reference Vintage)
New York—News broke recently of another celebrity engagement and with it, reports of another antique engagement ring, arguably the top trend in bridal jewelry.
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry confirmed her engagement to musician Van Hunt last week on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” even giving viewers a glimpse of her ring.
The two have been together for almost six years, Berry said on the show.
Sourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the ring has a round diamond as center stone with four fancy- shaped diamond accents, all surrounded by step-cut sapphires in yellow gold.
It dates to the late 1940s/early 1950s, the end of the Retro period.
The aesthetics of the Retro period—bolder-yet-softer curved shapes primarily in yellow and rose gold, as platinum remained in short supply during World War II—were a shift from the sharp angles of the platinum-heavy Art Deco era.
For Future Reference founder Randi Molofsky explained: “I love Retro for its bold silhouettes and confident design.
“After the relative ‘lightness’ of platinum Art Deco filigree, what came after was voluminous, warm gold jewelry with sweeping, rounded edges and large, multicolored gemstones and diamonds. Bold and glamorous, it’s right up my alley.”
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry confirmed her engagement to musician Van Hunt last week on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” even giving viewers a glimpse of her ring.
The two have been together for almost six years, Berry said on the show.
Sourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the ring has a round diamond as center stone with four fancy- shaped diamond accents, all surrounded by step-cut sapphires in yellow gold.
It dates to the late 1940s/early 1950s, the end of the Retro period.
The aesthetics of the Retro period—bolder-yet-softer curved shapes primarily in yellow and rose gold, as platinum remained in short supply during World War II—were a shift from the sharp angles of the platinum-heavy Art Deco era.
For Future Reference founder Randi Molofsky explained: “I love Retro for its bold silhouettes and confident design.
“After the relative ‘lightness’ of platinum Art Deco filigree, what came after was voluminous, warm gold jewelry with sweeping, rounded edges and large, multicolored gemstones and diamonds. Bold and glamorous, it’s right up my alley.”
For Future Reference Vintage specializes in unsigned jewelry so it is not known who made Berry’s ring, though the company believes it is French.
Molofsky said her company started working with Berry through her stylist, Maryam Malakpour.
Like Molofsky, Malakpour is a vintage jewelry enthusiast, and she passed her love of “old” jewelry onto her client, who has worn pieces sourced by For Future Reference Vintage multiple times.
Related stories will be right here …
Molofsky said her company started working with Berry through her stylist, Maryam Malakpour.
Like Molofsky, Malakpour is a vintage jewelry enthusiast, and she passed her love of “old” jewelry onto her client, who has worn pieces sourced by For Future Reference Vintage multiple times.
Most recently, the actress chose an oversized sapphire and moonstone flower pendant in 14-karat yellow gold—another Retro piece—to wear to the London premiere of “Crime 101.”
Both Berry and Malakpour “appreciate the art of storytelling and the history that comes with jewelry that has had previous lives,” Molofsky said.
For Future Reference Vintage launched in 2024. It is a collaboration between Molofsky and Excalibur, a supplier of fine, collectible estate jewelry and watches based in Los Angeles.
More on Trends
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
