Few jewellery pieces carry the emotional gravity of an engagement ring. It’s not just an accessory, but a promise of love and commitment. While solitaires have long dominated the narrative, modern couples are increasingly gravitating towards designs that reflect duality, partnership and personal storytelling. Enter the toi et moi ring. Translating to “you and me” in French, this two-stone style is poetic and powerful. The romantic design symbolises the coming together of two lovers, making it a compelling alternative for couples who want their engagement ring to say more than just forever.
Your 101 On Toi Et Moi Rings
Why settle for one when love is about two? At its core, a toi et moi ring is a celebration of duality. The style is defined by two gemstones set side by side on the same band, neither overpowering the other. The two stones can mirror each other in cut and size. Or intentionally contrast, diamond with emerald, sapphire with pearl, oval with pear, each choice adding a layer of meaning. For some couples, the stones represent two distinct personalities coming together. For others, they symbolise past and future, strength and softness, their birthstones or even two milestones in a shared journey.
Classic yet expressive, the design has endured centuries of shifting tastes because it adapts effortlessly to the moment. Historically rooted in romance and royalty, today’s toi et moi rings feel personal and rebellious. They speak to couples who value individuality over convention and a love story that doesn’t need to look like everyone else’s. In a world moving beyond one-size-fits-all romance, the toi et moi ring feels like the most honest kind of statement.
The Past
Toi et moi rings may feel fashion-forward, but their roots are historical. The design first rose to prominence in 1796 when Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to Empress Josephine de Beauharnais with a ring featuring a pear-shaped sapphire nestled beside a matching diamond. The symbolism was clear even then: two distinct stones, bound together in love.
Over the centuries, the style quietly remained in circulation, resurfacing during moments of cultural significance. In 1953, John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Kennedy with a toi et moi ring created by Van Cleef & Arpels, pairing an emerald and diamond connected by baguette-cut diamonds. Though Jackie later redesigned the ring, its original form cemented the style’s place in modern jewellery history. European royalty, including Queen Margrethe II, further reinforced its regal appeal.
From Empress Josephine’s sapphire-and-diamond ring to Jackie Kennedy’s emerald moment, the toi et moi has long been associated with powerful women and historic unions. These early examples leaned into symmetry, precious gemstones and refined craftsmanship, elements that still inspire heritage jewellers today.
The Present
If the past was about symmetry and status, the present is about self-expression. Contemporary toi et moi rings are less about matching stones and more about intentional contrast, pear next to emerald cut, diamond paired with pearl, high carat weights offset by minimal bands. Designers are experimenting with asymmetry, east-west settings, coloured gemstones and open bands, giving the style a distinctly modern edge. Take Emily Ratajkowski’s engagement ring, designed by Alison Lou, which is a bold pairing of a princess-cut diamond and a pear-shaped diamond on a chunky gold band that instantly sparked a resurgence of interest. Even though Emily and her ex-husband Sebastian Bear‑McClard parted ways, her ring remains one of the most memorable celebrity rings of recent years.
Closer home, actor Siddharth proposed to Aditi Rao Hydari with a custom toi et moi ring designed by Andal Gems & Jewels, spotlighting how Indian jewellers are interpreting the style with a contemporary yet intimate lens.
International maisons like Messika, Boucheron and Graff are offering refined toi et moi styles that balance craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Think open bands, unexpected stone pairings and subtle sparkle. Meanwhile, Indian brands such as Bluestone and Andal are making the look more accessible.
