For generations, the default engagement ring image has been a single centred stone, but that’s not the only tradition worth knowing about. The toi et moi ring (which is based around two stones rather than one) has a history that predates most of what’s considered “classic” today, and it’s having a real moment again. Here’s what the style actually means and why it’s making a comeback right now.
A Brief History of the Toi et Moi Ring and Why It’s Trending
What Toi et Moi Really Means
Toi et moi means “you and me” in French. So, instead of a single stone as the center of attention, the design features two main stones side by side. The symbolism is built into the structure: two separate stones, both visible and necessary to the ring, representing two people coming together.
A Style With Real History, Not Just a New Trend
This design is not a new invention. The most famous origin story involves a ring Napoleon Bonaparte gave Joséphine in 1796, a toi et moi with two pear-shaped stones set to face each other. The style was later popular among European aristocracy and in Victorian jewelry, worn as a quiet signal of romantic devotion long before “engagement ring trends” was a phrase anyone used.
Much later, in the 1960s, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis sported an emerald and diamond toi et moi that became a symbol of vintage elegance. This isn’t a style invented for a trend cycle; it’s one different generations keep rediscovering for the same reason: two stones say something a single one can’t.
Why It’s Trending Again Now
The latest revival has an obvious moment behind it: Ariana Grande’s 2020 engagement to Dalton Gomez featured a toi et moi ring, pairing a diamond with a pearl, and brought the style to a much wider audience. Interest has grown ever since, helped by the design’s symbolism, which resonates with those who want their ring to represent partnership rather than a single dominant stone.
Choosing Two Stones: What to Look for
A pair of stones opens up possibilities that a single-stone ring cannot offer. Some combinations have two diamonds in different cuts to contrast; some combine a diamond with a colored stone such as an emerald or sapphire; and birthstone combinations, one stone for each partner, are increasing in popularity for their personal meaning. Here, the balance is more important than in a solitaire; the two stones should be proportionate to each other, and the setting should hold both equally, not one as the main stone and the other as an accent.
Why Toi et Moi Rings Are a Perfect Match for a Custom Approach
A regular retailer’s pre-set toi et moi usually means a limited selection of fixed stone combinations. If you build one from scratch, you can actually choose the two stones and what they represent, on purpose. This could mean real birthstones, a stone that matters to each partner specifically, or a pairing that looks right together rather than whatever happened to be in stock. Two stones are already a more personal starting point than one, and custom work lets that meaning really shine through.
Create Your Own Toi et Moi Ring Only at Solitaire x Alex Armen
Two stones, two people, a history that keeps getting rediscovered, going back over two centuries. An engagement ring style that has built-in meaning: a toi et moi ring. But the right pairing makes that meaning specific, not generic.
Solitaire x Alex Armen makes custom toi et moi rings from the stones that really matter to you, whether that’s birthstones, a favourite gem, or a pairing chosen simply for how it looks together. And a clear return and refund policy backs every custom order, so you never feel like a design this personal is a risk. Connect with Solitaire x Alex Armen to start designing a real-to-you toi et moi ring.
FAQs
Which celebrities have worn toi et moi engagement rings?
The toi et moi engagement ring has been worn by several celebrities. Ariana Grande’s 2020 diamond-and-pearl engagement ring is often credited with the style’s recent popularity. Another famous historical example is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ emerald-and-diamond toi et moi ring.
Do the stones have to be the same size?
No. Some use two stones of similar size; others use a large stone with a smaller accent stone. It really depends on personal preference and what you want the pairing to look like.
Can I include birthstones in a toi et moi ring?
Yes, and that’s becoming a more popular choice. Pairing each partner’s birthstone is one of the most personal ways to build meaning right into the design.
