Halle Berry Wears The Pumpkin Diamond

Halle Berry at the 2013 Golden Globes. Photo ©2013 Jenn Deering Davis. On March 24, 2002, the Pumpkin Diamond graced the left pinky finger of one of America's most celebrated actresses. If you haven't seen Halle Berry's acceptance speech for the Oscar she won for best actress in Monster's Ball, you have missed out on a moment of authentic beauty.

Authentic Beauty

The clip begins with Russell Crowe, wearing a knee-length black wool-crepe tux by Armani {People}, saying, "And the Oscar goes to...." Behind him a large screen features live insets of the five nominees: Renée Zellweger for Bridget Jones's Diary, Sissy Spacek for In the Bedroom, Nicole Kidman for Moulin Rouge!, Judi Dench for Iris, and Halle Berry for Monster's Ball. After that momentous pause, Russell Crowe says: "...Halle Berry in Monster's Ball." His announcement is immediately followed by a roar from the crowd. The insets now show a combination of expressions: Ms. Zellweger does not appear surprised, Sissy Spacek smiles and claps her hands in front of her face, Nicole Kidman appears satisfied, Judi Dench is thoroughly pleased, and Halle Berry appears so shocked she almost looks horrified. As the camera zooms in on her, Halle's stunned look of surprise remains frozen on her face for a few more seconds. Then she begins exclaiming, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" over and over again, as her smiling mother embraces her.

So Much Bigger

Imagine what it must have been like. Her first Oscar win, and against some of America's most astounding actresses. She is so overcome, she can hardly walk up the stairs. The audience is on its feet as Russell Crowe hugs her and helps her gain her composure. She accepts the Oscar and simply stands there crying wide-mouthed sobs, before she manages to say it one more time: "Oh, my God!" It is one of Hollywood's most historic moments, as the crowd cheers for her again. She finds her breath and a small amount of composure before declaring: "This moment is so much bigger than me! "This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened." Her composure shatters, and she begins to sob again.

Halle Berry Thanks Everyone

In the moments that follow, Halle Berry thanks everyone she can think of who spurred her on, gave her a chance, and helped her make history with her art. With tears streaming down my face, it dawns on me that in 2002, Halle Barry shattered the colored woman's ceiling. She did so by trusting those who believed in her. And by allowing them take her deeper into her craft than she had ever been before. I also understand the importance of telling a jewel's story, for in telling the story of one piece of jewelry, we tell the story of the world one person at a time.

This Time, Notice the Diamond

This moment in history deserves to be celebrated over and over again. If you can, I encourage you to watch it again. And this time, I ask you to allow your eyes to find the beautiful orange diamond ring Halle wears on her left pinky finger. Our first real glimpse of it comes after she's taken the stage. As she walks toward Russell Crowe, she covers her face with both hands. There it is, shimmering in the stage lights. It's there for only a moment, before the two actors share their brief moment of privacy. Then, Ms. Berry steps to the microphone, still speechless. In a gesture of pure gratitude, she blows her peers a kiss as she sobs. The Pumpkin Diamond radiates warmth and vibrancy as she extends her left hand toward the cameras. She's weeping so hard that all she can do then is stand facing her audience, right hand clutching her Oscar, left hand squeezed tightly into a fist. It's the first time we can see the orange tint of the diamond. As she finds her composure, she grips the Oscar in her left hand. The astonishing beauty of one of the rarest, most notable orange diamonds is nearly lost in the pathos of the moment. Its orange color nearly matches that shine of her golden Oscar. Do you think the Winstons knew the gorgeous 5.54-carat fancy vivid orange diamond would play such a significant role in history only six years after they purchased it? by Angela Magnotti Andrews, Staff Writer

References

1. Famous Diamonds. "The Pumpkin." Accessed January 30, 2015.
2. Harry Winston. "Our Story: Jeweler to the Stars." Accessed January 30, 2015. http://www.harrywinston.com/our-story/stars.
3. Oscars YouTube Channel. Video: "Halle Berry Wins Best Actress: 2002 Oscars. Published by Oscars on May 23, 2014.
4. "Oscars Fashion: A Beautiful Time," People, Vol. 57, No. 13, April 8, 2002.
5. William Goldberg. "Orange Diamonds: Colors of the Fall," October 24, 2012. http://www.williamgoldberg.com/diamond-jewelry/2012/10/orange-diamonds-colors-of-the-fall/.