Education 5 min read Updated
You and Me, in Two Stones
A toi et moi ring sets two stones side by side, one for each of you. Here is where the style comes from, the shape pairings that work best, and what to think about so the two diamonds sit beautifully together.
The experts you can trust: Mine & Grown guides are written with jewelry experts and reviewed for accuracy. Questions about a specific piece? Our team is happy to help.
Toi et moi is French for “you and me.” Instead of one center stone, a toi et moi ring holds two, set side by side or slightly offset, often on a band that curves between them. Each stone has its own prongs or bezel, and neither is an accent: the two share the attention equally.
The stones can match or contrast. A pear beside a round, or an emerald cut beside a pear, gives the ring its own personality, which is much of the style's appeal.
The most famous toi et moi is the ring Napoléon Bonaparte gave Joséphine in 1796: a pear-shaped diamond beside a pear-shaped sapphire. Two-stone rings stayed popular through the nineteenth century as sentimental gifts, and the style has returned strongly in recent years among couples who want an engagement ring that tells a story about two people.
| Ring | The two stones | The band |
|---|---|---|
| Amira | A pear or an oval with a round | A curving wave band, each end sweeping around one stone |
| Ivy | A sideways pear with a small round | A wide, flat polished band |
| Vega | A pear and an emerald cut, side by side | A slim band with a short gold bar between the stones |
| Nova | A larger oval, pear or marquise above a smaller round | An open bypass band |
A pear beside a round is the classic toi et moi combination: the pear brings length and a gentle point, the round a compact circle of sparkle. In our Amira, the pear leans up and away from the round on a curving wave band, so the two read as a pair rather than a center stone and an accent. Our Ivy turns the pear sideways on a wide, flat band with a small round tucked against its rounded end.
Pairing a brilliant cut with a step cut makes the two stones differ not only in shape but in how they catch light: the pear sparkles, while the emerald cut's long, parallel facets give broad flashes. In our Vega, a pear and an emerald cut run lengthwise along the finger on a slim band, divided by a short bar of gold.
In a bypass design the band does not close under the stones: its two ends pass each other, each carrying a diamond. Our Nova sets a larger oval, pear or marquise above a smaller round, so the ring looks like a single ribbon of gold with a diamond at each end. The marquise version has the most length; the oval is the softest.
Because a toi et moi spreads across the finger and its band often curves, a straight wedding band may not sit flush against it. Many couples choose a curved or contoured band, or wear the wedding band with a small gap, which is part of the look. Pointed stones such as pears and marquises are held with a prong over each point, and every stone's setting is worth checking at each cleaning.
Browse wedding bands or read Ring Stacking 101.
Find a topic
It is French for “you and me.” A toi et moi ring sets two stones side by side, one for each partner.
Yes. Toi et moi is the French name for a two-stone ring: two stones of equal importance, set side by side or slightly offset, instead of one center stone with accents. Each stone has its own prongs or bezel.
Napoléon Bonaparte gave Joséphine a toi et moi ring in 1796, with a pear-shaped diamond beside a pear-shaped sapphire.
A pear with a round is the classic pairing. Contrasting cuts, such as a pear with an emerald cut, give a more personal look.
They don’t have to be. Two similar stones share the attention equally, while a larger and a smaller stone feel more like a pair with a lead, as in our Nova, which sets a larger oval, pear or marquise above a smaller round.
Often not, because the stones spread across the finger. A curved or contoured band, or a small gap, works well.
Yes, with a little care. Pointed stones such as pears and marquises are held with a prong over each point, and every stone’s setting is worth checking at each cleaning. How to Care for Your Engagement Ring covers the everyday habits.
Yes. Each of our toi et moi rings is made to order with lab-grown or natural diamonds and an IGI or GIA grading report.
Book a video or phone appointment with Yareli, our founder and designer.
Request an Appointment
Every piece begins with a conversation and ends with something only yours.
Discover the Process
Fine jewelry should last a lifetime. We care for yours at cost, charging only for materials and labor.
Learn MoreYour Shopping Bag is Empty
Explore our engagement rings and fine jewelry to find your next favorite piece.
Explore
