Toi Et Moi Ring From Past To Present:

June 9, 2015

By Katerina Perez

3 min read

One thing you can guarantee about fashion trends is that they come and go, and here is one which has come bursting back to the forefront of high jewellery art – you will certainly have spotted it if you were at the Bienniale des Antiquaires. Toi et Moi, literally meaning ‘you and me’ in French, is a style of jewellery which incorporates two central decorative elements.

Rings, bracelets and earrings are the typical pieces to use this style; the earrings are usually asymmetrical, while the rings and bracelets feature two identically or similarly sized gemstones set opposite one another. So I do not talk about them all at once, in this article I am going to tell you a few facts about rings.

Graff Diamonds

Graff Diamonds

The traditional design is a ring with two stones of the same or similar proportions either in matching colours, as you will get from Harry Winston, or different, as in William Goldberg’s ring with pink and yellow marquis-cut diamonds.

The real spark of the TOI ET MOI design lies in the way the stones complement each other, as they do in the Messika ring with pink and white pear-cut diamonds, or contrast on another, as in the designs from Ivy New York which mixes diamonds with two different colour spinels.

The contemporary TOI ET MOI ring differs from the traditional imagining in that it does not have to be precious stones that are fixed to each end, but any decorative element – Chopard feature flowers on their ring, De Beers white gold swirls and Boucheron opt for snake heads.

The first famous example of a TOI ET MOI ring was the engagement ring given to Josephine by Napoleon in 1796. There is no doubt that featuring two gemstones set in opposition was an existing practice, but Napoleon’s engagement gift brought it to the attention of the wider world after it was sold for nearly a million dollars at the Osenat auction in Paris.

Napoleon and Josephines engagement ring

Napoleon and Josephines engagement ring

The TOI ET MOI ring reached its peak popularity at the turn of the 20th Century as a common engagement present – it served as a perfect symbol of the union of two souls in love.

The most valuable example was designed by French jewellery Alexandre Reza and sold at auction on 11th May 2010 at Sotheby’s for $6.32 million. The piece featured two rare pear-cut diamonds, one a 5.02 carat pale blue Fancy Vivid diamond and the other a clear stone weight 5.42 carats.

A TOI ET MOI ring by Van Cleef&Arpels featuring a diamond and an emerald was the engagement gift given by John Kennedy to his future wife Jackie Bouvier, while the Danish Prince Henrik got down on one knee for Queen Margaret with a ring from the same jeweller featuring two round diamond stones. And in 2005 Jesse James gave a similar double diamond ring to the American actress Sandra Bullock.

You can purchase a TOI ET MOI ring at auction at Christie’s and Sotheby’s and they can be found in pretty much any catalogue, especially if you are looking for the important stones. For the widest range of two-stone rings the best designer to go for is Alexandre Reza.

So, if you like experimenting with unusual jewellery then you should definitely consider treating yourself to a TOI ET MOI ring.

Alexandre Reza

Alexandre Reza

The flurries of pollen: Alice Cicolini Presents Her New Summer Snow Collection

continue reading

Ultimate Guide to Promise Rings: What They Mean, How to Wear One and Where to Buy

While the promise ring's meaning has evolved, its emotional weight remains, making it especially popular among Gen Z and millennial couples seeking the perfect, personal pre-engagement jewel

by Claire Roberts

Exquisite Escapes: The Idyllic Inspirations Behind the Diorexquis High Jewellery Collection

In early May 2025, Dior Joaillerie's Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane showcased an unprecedented high jewellery collection, Diorexquis, to more than 300 VIPs at the Château de la Colle Noire in the heart of Provence. Let's take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Millionaire Products: Celebrating the No-Expense-Spared Bvlgari Polychroma High Jewellery Collection

Bvlgari is opening a magnificent new chapter in the world of high jewellery, and high jewellery watches with the Polychroma collection. Here's what I have discovered so far…

by Katerina Perez

Sea of Wonder: Celebrating the Ocean’s Endless Bounty with the Tiffany & Co. Blue Book 2025

Here are some of the creations that became an integral part of the Tiffany & Co. underwater world, including starfish, crashing waves and sea turtles…

by Katerina Perez

The Psychology of Jewellery: Why We Adorn Ourselves

From the earliest civilisations to contemporary fashion catwalks, humans have consistently sought ways to embellish themselves. Transcending mere decoration, jewellery acts as a powerful expression of identity, status and emotion. Whether it's the intricate beadwork of ancient societies or the minimalist designs of modern artisans, our choices in adornment reveal layers of personal and cultural narratives. 

by Claire Roberts

Gem Renaissance: Insights from GemGenève Talk on Coloured Gemstones

One of the most exciting shifts in the world of fine jewellery today is the growing appreciation for coloured gemstones, especially those beyond the traditional “Big Three” of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. So, when the organisers of GemGenève invited me to do a talk, I instantly knew what subject I was going to touch upon - the rise of colour.

by Katerina Perez

Epic Evolution: Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade 

Miseno is a brand that I have followed closely over the past decade, largely because of its intriguing transatlantic flair that blends Italian heritage and craftsmanship with the pizzazz of New York City. Now, I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection.

by Katerina Perez

A Dazzling Decade: Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Yi Collection

Since celebrating the 10-year anniversary of KaterinaPerez.com in 2023, I will admit to having a newfound appreciation and respect for any fellow business owner who reaches this incredible milestone. It’s certainly not easy to maintain high levels of creativity and craftsmanship, especially with a consistent focus on quality and professionalism.

by Sarah Jordan

Wow Effect: Exploring the Inventive Artistry of Serafino Consoli

While doing my duties as a judge at the 2025 Inhorgenta Awards, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the team behind Serafino Consoli – an Italian brand with a unique claim to fame in the high jewellery world.

by Katerina Perez

Essential Passion: The Artistic Pursuits of Mehragin Rahmati of Mergin Jewelry 

Jewellery can be thoughtful and insular, or it can be effusive and bold and full of character that makes it stand out from the crowd. I would put the colourful and charismatic creations of Mehragin Rahmati into the latter camp because of their attention-grabbing silhouettes, unusual structures, and confident mineral palettes.

by Katerina Perez

Maestro of Masterpieces: New High Jewels in the Picchiotti Classics Collection

Ahead of this year’s Couture show in Las Vegas, Picchiotti has revealed some of the latest additions to its high jewellery repertoire, including new suites in the Picchiotti Classics collection.

by Sarah Jordan

Reasons to Shop: The Moments that Demand a Fresh Jewellery Purchase 

There's no rule that says you need a reason to buy a new piece of jewellery, but sometimes, a little encouragement makes the decision even more exciting. If you're looking for a playful excuse to book your next jewellery appointment, here are a few irresistible reasons to treat yourself.

by Hirshi Sujanti

Grecian Glamour: The Designers Preparing to Spotlight Greek Style at JCK Las Vegas

Recently, I was approached by the organisers of a special ‘Greek mission’ who are supporting 11 independent designers and brands as they seek to make their mark at JCK Las Vegas from June 6-9, 2025. Below, I would like to introduce you to each of the businesses participating in this incredible showcase of Greek design, ingenuity and craftsmanship.

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Legacy of Love:The Dreamlike Jewels of Emirati Designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani

During our meeting in Dubai, we spoke about the importance of family, the sweetness of finding joy through creativity, and the ability to translate dreamy visions and deep feelings into wearable pieces…

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.