Toi et Moi Rings: Two Gems, One Love – The Enchanting History and Enduring Popularity of Dual-Stone Romance
The History of Toi et Moi Rings
The concept of Toi et Moi rings can be traced back at least to the 18th century. These rings symbolize two people becoming one. Each gemstone on the ring represents half of the couple, highlighting the union and balance between the two individuals.
One of the earliest and most famous Toi et Moi rings was given by Napoléon Bonaparte to Joséphine de Beauharnais in 1796. Napoléon’s ring featured a pear-shaped sapphire and a diamond, each stone representing half of the couple. This iconic ring set the precedent for the Toi et Moi style, making it a popular choice for engagement rings among European nobility and the wealthy.
Throughout the 19th century, Toi et Moi rings continued to be popular. Their popularity surged especially during the Victorian era, with couples choosing a variety of gemstones and intricate designs to represent their unique love stories. During this period, rings often featured detailed engravings, filigree work, and sometimes birthstones or other meaningful gems.
The Toi et Moi style experienced a revival in the early 20th century, particularly during the Art Deco period. The clean lines and geometric shapes of Art Deco design were well-suited to the Toi et Moi design. Rings from this era often featured contrasting gemstones, such as diamonds paired with onyx, sapphires, or emeralds, creating striking visual effects.
The Popularity of Toi et Moi Rings
Toi et Moi rings remain popular to this day. The most basic style features two diamonds of similar size set on a simple gold or platinum ring. Most rings have two different diamond shapes or one diamond and one colored gemstone of the same or different shape. Most Toi et Moi rings are characterized by diamonds and/or gemstones of similar carat weight in a balanced ring.
Because the ring symbolizes the union of two people, the stones should also reflect this balance, with neither stone being significantly larger than the other. Toi et Moi is a unique choice for traditional engagement rings, which typically feature only one center diamond or gemstone. It is also a popular choice for celebrating anniversaries or other significant life events.
Celebrity Toi et Moi Rings
One of the most famous celebrity Toi et Moi rings was given by John F. Kennedy to Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. The Van Cleef and Arpels ring featured a 2.88-carat diamond and a 2.84-carat emerald, both emerald-cut. Initially, the ring was adorned with baguette diamonds.
A decade later, Jackie Kennedy had Van Cleef and Arpels replace the baguettes with more dramatic marquise and round diamonds. This engagement ring is now part of the permanent collection at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Megan Fox’s Toi et Moi engagement ring, designed by Machine Gun Kelly in 2022, also features an emerald and a diamond, both pear-shaped. These stones represent the couple’s birthstones. Ariana Grande’s Toi et Moi ring showcases an oval diamond and a pearl set on a simple gold band. Kylie Jenner commissioned matching Toi et Moi rings for herself and her daughter Stormi.
Both rings feature a pear and a radiant cut diamond. Emily Ratajkowski’s 2018 engagement ring boasts a 2-carat princess cut diamond alongside a 3-carat pear-shaped diamond.
Upgrading to a Toi et Moi Ring
A unique engagement ring upgrade involves using the original engagement ring’s center stone and resetting it as a Toi et Moi ring. This new ring will be a dramatic change from the original, doubling its brilliance and luster. The design flexibility also means you can adjust the new ring in many ways. Toi et Moi rings can feature diamonds of the same cut, different cuts, and different colors.
They often pair diamonds with colored gemstones such as emeralds, sapphires, or rubies. Luxury buyers typically seek Toi et Moi rings with stones of at least 3 carats each. Toi et Moi rings balance the importance of the original diamond by adding a stone of similar size to celebrate a significant milestone. Additionally, the cost of upgrading to a Toi et Moi ring may be lower than purchasing a larger single diamond upgrade.
High Jewelry Toi et Moi Rings
Sotheby’s auction house has sold many high jewelry Toi et Moi rings at auction. The design flexibility allows two impressive diamonds or gemstones to take center stage on a single ring, rather than just one stone. Some of the most popular designs include Toi et Moi rings featuring a colored diamond paired with a white diamond. In 2024, Sotheby’s sold a Toi et Moi ring for 8,255,000 Swiss Francs, featuring a 3.03-carat pear-shaped fancy blue diamond and a 2.82-carat pear-shaped white diamond.
In 2022, Sotheby’s sold a Toi et Moi ring for 756,000 Swiss Francs, featuring two pear-shaped diamonds, one white and one fancy orangy pink. This ring had a total diamond weight of over 9 carats, including a 5.01-carat orangy pink pear-shaped diamond.
Toi et Moi Rings: Two Gems, One Love – The Enchanting History and Enduring Popularity of Dual-Stone Romance
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