Jewelry shopping can be intimidating. That’s why we started Ask Holden, our blog where we answer your FAQs, break down scary industry lingo, and guide you in finding the perfect piece of jewelry.
If you’ve begun searching for the perfect engagement ring, you’ve likely come across rings that feature two center stones. This style is known as the toi et moi engagement ring (not the moi et toi ring, as some mistakenly call it).
Toi et moi rings have become more popular over the past few years thanks to celebrities like Megan Fox, Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, and Emily Ratajowski. Though not all still wear their toi et moi style rings (you may have seen that EmRata recently had hers split into two solitaires, dubbed “divorce rings”), we’re confident they’re here to stay.
Not sure if a toi et moi is right for you? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll break down everything we love most about the toi et moi (meaning “you and me”), from its romantic origins to its customizability.
1. They were designed with romance in mind.
Ever heard of someone named Napoleon Bonaparte? Besides being known for his military prowess and controversial political moves, he was also one of the first public figures to popularize the toi et moi ring (the French pronounce it twa ay mwa, by the way).
The recipient was his beloved Joséphine, a 32-year-old widowed mother of two. While these details might seem irrelevant today, in 1796, it was quite scandalous for the 26-year-old Napoleon to marry someone of her age and status for love rather than political advantage.
It’s quite fitting then that he gave her a ring with such a romantic meaning when sentimental jewelry was on the rise in France. Each stone was said to represent the souls in the relationship coming together as one.
The jewels in Joséphine’s yellow gold toi et moi ring? Sapphire cut in a pear shape with a complementary pear diamond. It sold at auction for nearly $948,000 in 2013.
If that’s out of your budget, our Gem Toi et Moi (made with lab-created diamonds and gemstones) can be customized to look quite similar. To recreate Joséphine’s ring, a pear-shaped blue sapphire should be set next to a pear diamond facing the opposite direction.
Submit a Custom Request2. Two rocks beats one.
With a toi et moi ring, you get double the center stone action. So if you love bling, a toi et moi could totally be your thing!
Thinking two stones must be out of budget? Not so fast! If you opt for lab-created diamonds and gemstones, you could save so much that you might even be able to afford more than one toi et moi ring.
We can’t deny that a toi et moi has great optics, too. Oh, your partner loves you so much that they got you not one, but two diamonds or gems? If you like being the center of attention, a toi et moi will most definitely get people talking.
3. The more stones, the more ways you can be sentimental.
If you’re a fan of meaningful jewelry, you’ll love the concept behind the center stone choices for Megan Fox’s engagement ring. (The thorny band that makes the ring painful to take off is more controversial!)
Technically, the ring Machine Gun Kelly gave Megan is two custom rings that fit together with a magnet to look like a toi et moi. The center stones are a pear-cut emerald and diamond, the couple’s birthstones (Megan is a Taurus born in May with an emerald birthstone and MGK is a Taurus born in April with a diamond birthstone).
MGK said of the ring, designed by Stephen Webster, that its’ different bands: “draw together as two halves of the same soul forming the obscure heart that is our love.” Can you tell he’s a musician?
Beyond birthstones, you could also consider incorporating heirlooms from each family, favorite colors, or stones with specific symbolic meanings (a diamond is forever!) into your toi et moi designs. The point is that the option for two stones may just be the thing that gets your creative juices flowing.
4. It’s one less decision to make.
Many get stuck debating two center stone options before they come across toi et moi engagement rings, especially if they can’t decide between a diamond or gemstone. That’s what makes a gemstone and diamond toi et moi ring the best of both worlds.
Know you want diamonds but are unsure about shape? You can experience the benefits of different diamond cuts in the same toi et moi ring. Emerald-cut, oval-cut, and pear-cut diamonds are standard options for our toi et moi rings.
The great thing about getting a toi et moi ring from us is that you won’t have to go to any extra effort searching for a second perfect stone. Our GIA-certified diamond experts will hand-select the best stones for your design and email you their IGI or GIA certificates after checkout (1 ct and above).
Not happy with the stones we choose? We can provide alternative options! All of our ring styles are made to order, so you can choose your preferred metal as well. We offer 18k or 14k yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and 950 platinum.
5. They’re trendy now, but always timeless.
Some seem to think that toi et moi rings are just a fad due to their recent popularity. In reality, they’re quite timeless!
None other than the American fashion icon, epitome of timeless sophistication, and First Lady of the United States Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis famously wore a toi et moi ring given to her by President John F. Kennedy.
When Jackie O first received the Van Cleef & Arpels ring in 1953, it featured an emerald-cut diamond and emerald surrounded by baguette stones. 10 years later, the baguettes were switched out for marquise cut diamonds resembling a laurel wreath.
We’re all for a twist on a classic and love the way the accent stones wrap around each stone’s shape. Emerald shapes would also be complemented well by round, pear, or oval accents.
If you’re interested in a custom toi et moi, don’t hesitate to submit a request! We’d love to help create something trendy or timeless (or both!) for you.
Go Fully CustomQuestions? Give us a shout at help@hiholden.com or a ring (pun intended) at 646.722.6817.
