A new trend in engagement rings was sparked last year, all thanks to a handful of celebrities. Ariana Grande, Megan Fox and Kylie Jenner were spotted with not just one big rock on their finger, but two! This “two stone” ring ingeniously names itself a “Toi Et Moi” ring.
The Toi Et Moi ring is a fairytale from the 18th Century. Napoleon Bonaparte, a French military commander and political leader was in a scandalous relationship with, Joséphine de Beauharnais. Joséphine, a widow, six years older than him, had two children. Of course, for the time, Napoleon’s family was against the union. But the strong-willed commander proposed to his beloved Joséphine with a unique gold ring holding two inverted pear-shaped stones: a blue sapphire and a diamond. The inside of the ring is an engraving of a special message “toi et moi pour toujours” which translates in French as “you and me forever”. Also, the adjoining of the two stones symbolises togetherness and the uniting of two as one. This is the first-ever “Toi Et Moi” ring traced back in history.
Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine de Beauharnais married three weeks later, much to the families’ despair.
TRADITIONAL TAKE
Traditionally, the Toi Et Moi ring was typically two stones, similar in shape, more so diamonds than gemstones. Often they were in fancy shapes like pears and emerald cuts nested together in an open setting. Over time and design evolution, a fancy shape partners with a round stone, or two fancy-shaped stones go side-by-side.
VRAI designs classic engagement rings with duos of different-shaped diamonds on a plain or pave diamond-studded band.
Messika’s sleek twist to the Toi Et Moi from their “My Twin” collection comprises two fancy diamonds facing one another. Each diamond is surrounded by a crisp halo.
MODERN TWIST
Today, designers break away from conventional stone types. They also play with the styles of stone setting from dainty claw prongs to bezel walls. Contemporary rings mix and match not only shapes but coloured stones as well.
Mejuri turns the Toi Et Moi concept into a modern band. It’s a design that could work as an engagement ring or wedding band with two fancy diamonds set flush.
Megan Fox’s dual ring, one studded with a pear-shaped Columbian emerald and the other with a pear-shaped diamond. They magnetically click and interlink together to form a Toi Et Moi ring. Additionally, it is an innovative concept of a traditional idea, designed and executed by Stephen Webster.
Ariana Grande’s engagement ring is a pretty duet of a white pearl and an 8-carat diagonally set oval diamond. They are delicately anchored with four prongs.
The concept of the Toi Et Moi ring, although still popular in the engagement category due to its sentimental nature, also adds to double the fun in the fashion category of jewels. 21st-century designers are modernizing the bypass ring, modelling the concept into open rings, band variations, chunky cocktail rings and more than you can imagine!
Coloured stones play a big role in this ring style in recent times. Traditional design houses keep the classic flavour of the Toi Et Moi using a diamond paired with a “precious” gemstone like ruby, emerald or sapphire. However, modern designers mix and match contrasting coloured stones or keep to the same hues using two similar coloured gemstones or gems from the same family, for subtlety. With gemstones, designers have the liberty to use not only readily available cuts but also custom cuts and one-of-a-kind gemstones to add to their individuality.
Bea Bongiasca known for its tendrils, vibrant colours, enamel, and gemstones give the Toi Et Moi concept a colourful take.
Brilliant Earth’s limited edition Toi Et Moi Cocktail Ring is like an ode to this year’s Pantone Colour of the year – Viva Magenta, with its choice of stones Pink Tourmaline and complimenting Morganite.
Kwiat also puts a geometric spin with their Toi Et Moi Ring pairing a 4.56-carat internally flawless diamond and a 3.22-carat Colombian emerald of exceptional colour on a platinum ring with channel set emeralds and diamonds on the shank.
Toi Et Moi et The Gem Monarchy
Our customers handpick stones from The Gem Monarchy to create one-of-a-kind designs. Unique gemstones from our collection combine to form interesting pairs. Our array of coloured gemstones can be chosen in contrast or complement each other. Below are a few Toi Et Moi rings made by our customers, featuring gemstones from The Gem Monarchy.
Susan Ewington Jewellery: Rich half-hearted Padparadscha Sapphire with fancy Argyle Diamond.
Lisa Littlewood Designs: Prong set pear cut light blue Ceylon Sapphire and a peach Madagascan Sapphire.
Eli Speaks Jewellery(Kate Higgins): Bezel set custom cut tapered baguette Sapphire with a round Madagascan Sapphire.
Fairina Cheng: Cushion cut Australian Sapphire and a Nigerian Aquamarine in a bezel setting.
Alister Yiap: Custom-cut Sapphires in complementing green and blue colours set on a flat band.
Samantha C. Pais, GIA GG
Samantha is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America. Founder of Curious Carat on Instagram, Samantha has over a decade of experience in the international jewellery industry, which shines through her work for The Gem Monarchy.
References
Colombian emerald toi et moi ring with a diamond in platinum, style #F-30082-400-diaemer-plat. Kwiat. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://kwiat.com/diamond-jewelry/colombian-emerald-toi-et-moi-ring-with-a-diamond-in-platinum-style-f-30082-400-diaemer-plat/
DeMarco, A. (2013, March 25). Napoleon's engagement ring to Joséphine fetches $948,000 at auction. Forbes. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2013/03/24/napoleons-engagement-ring-to-josephine-fetches-948000-at-auction/?sh=578822196b5e
Duncan, A. (2022, November 10). The 'it' ring for engagements: Toi et moi styles. The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/style/two-stone-bauble-engagement-ring.html
Double heart vine tendril ring in red. Bea Bongiasca. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://beabongiasca.com/collections/rings/products/double-heart-vine-tendril-ring-in-red?variant=39381384560705
Eli speaks jewellery by Kate Higgins. Eli Speaks jewellery by Kate Higgins. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.elispeaks.com/
Lisa Littlewood jewellery designs - wagga wagga. Lisa Littlewood Jewellery Designs - Wagga Wagga. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.lisalittlewooddesigns.com.au/
Miller, C. (2022, February 14). Why French-inspired toi et moi rings have become increasingly popular amongst celebrities. Tatler. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.tatler.com/gallery/why-french-inspired-toi-et-moi-rings-have-become-increasingly-popular-amongst-celebrities#:~:text=The%20history%20of%20the%20Toi,white%20diamond%20set%20in%20gold.
Peppin, H. (2022, January 13). Put a ring on it: The 'toi et moi' is the romantic, celeb-backed style. Harper's Bazaar Australia. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://harpersbazaar.com.au/toi-et-moi-rings-megan-fox-machine-gun-kelly/
Perth Custom Jewellery and public art design artist. Alister Yiap. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://alisteryiap.com.au/
Susan Ewington jewellery. Susan Ewington Jewellery. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.susanewington.com.au/
Teather, C. (2020, December 23). This is the super emotional meaning behind Ariana Grande's Pearl Engagement Ring that we (almost) all missed. Glamour UK. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/ariana-grande-pearl-engagement-ring
Toi et moi morganite and pink tourmaline cocktail ring. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.brilliantearth.com/Toi-et-Moi-Morganite-and-Pink-Tourmaline-Cocktail-Ring-Gold-BE2MO500/
The toi et moi engagement ring. VRAI. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.vrai.com/engagement-rings/toi-moi-ring
Toi et moi diamond ring. Inc, M. (n.d.). Mejuri. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://mejuri.com/au/en/shop/products/toi-et-moi-diamond-ring
Yellow gold diamond ring 0,25CT my Twin Toi & Moi: Messika 06636-YG. 0,25ct My Twin Toi & Moi | Messika 06636-YG. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.messika.com/en/yellow-gold-diamond-ring-my-twin-toi-moi-06636-yg