Every so often, a jewellery trend pops up that doesn’t feel like a trend at all — it feels like a rediscovery of something deeply sentimental that we all somehow forgot. That’s exactly how I felt the first time I saw a modern toi et moi engagement ring. You might know the translation already: “you and me.” Simple, a little poetic, and strangely comforting.

I still remember the moment I first spotted one in person. I was sitting in a friend’s kitchen — the kind with open shelves, mismatched mugs, and a faint smell of eucalyptus drifting in through the flyscreen — when she held out her hand and said, “Look what he did.” Two stones sat side by side, different shapes, different personalities, almost like they were sharing a secret. And honestly, I was instantly hooked.

This style has been around for centuries, but its return feels more personal, more expressive, and more deliberate than the glitter-heavy trends we cycled through in the 2010s. Maybe it’s because couples today want something that feels like their story, not just something they picked out of a catalogue. Whatever the reason, toi et moi engagement rings are having a moment — and it’s a beautiful one.

Why the Two-Stone Design Feels So Intimate

Every engagement ring means something, of course. But there’s something quietly profound about two stones leaning into each other. Each represents an individual — their strengths, their quirks, their history — but together they form a complete piece.

I’ve heard people describe the design as symbolic of:

• Two people coming together with equal importance.
• Two different worlds blending.
• Two chapters of a love story overlapping.

You don’t get that level of storytelling from a single solitaire, no matter how spectacular.

One jeweller I spoke to last year (I write a lot about jewellery, so I chat to jewellers more than the average person does) said that clients often choose stones that echo something about their lives. A pear shape next to an emerald cut to show contrast. A champagne diamond beside a white one to reflect different backgrounds. I even heard of someone pairing an opal and a diamond to symbolise “chaos and calm.”

It’s sentimental, sure, but it’s also refreshing. There’s room for interpretation — and people adore choosing their own narrative.

The History Behind the Romance

If you’re wondering where this whole idea started, well, it actually goes back further than most people think. The earliest famous example dates to 1796, when Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to Joséphine de Beauharnais with a sapphire and diamond duo ring.

But what I find truly interesting is how little the meaning has changed since then. Even centuries ago, the symbolism of “two souls, one love” was at the heart of the design.

Fast forward to today, and the same sentiment resonates — only with a modern twist. Instead of strictly traditional cuts, couples are mixing shapes, colours, and even gemstones from different origins.

As someone who spends far too much time browsing jewellery workshops and talking to designers, I can tell you the people drawn to this style often describe themselves as:

• a bit unconventional
• sentimental but not sappy
• fans of understated elegance
• wanting something “classic but with a pulse”
• And honestly, that sounds like half the couples I know.

Two Stones, Endless Possibilities

The beauty of a toi et moi ring is that it doesn’t force you into a single aesthetic. Instead, it opens the door to combinations you might not have considered otherwise.

Some of the pairings I’ve seen recently include:

1. Pear + Oval

Romantic and flowing, like two teardrops turned into something joyful.

2. Emerald + Trillion

A little bold, a little architectural — the kind of style you notice across a room.

3. Round + Cushion

Soft and nostalgic, almost vintage without trying too hard.

4. Diamond + Colour Gemstone

This is for the person who wants a pop of personality — a sapphire, morganite, ruby, or even a deep-green tourmaline.

5. Two Stones of the Same Shape, Different Sizes

Minimalist but expressive, as if one stone is echoing the other’s energy.

What I love most is how the layout can shift the entire mood. Tilt the stones slightly, and it becomes modern. Set them horizontally, and it feels classic. Overlap them, and suddenly it’s contemporary again.

And unlike styles that spike and fade, this one seems to adapt gracefully to each generation.

A Quick Thought on Lab-Grown Stones (Because They’re Everywhere Now)

It’s impossible to talk about engagement rings in 2025 without touching on lab grown diamonds. They’ve come a long way from being a niche eco-friendly option to becoming a real consideration for couples who care about transparency and value.

You might not know this, but many designers now prefer them because they offer more flexibility when creating custom two-stone designs. The colour and clarity range is broader, and you can match or contrast stones with stunning precision.

If you’re curious about the ethical or style benefits, this article explains it simply: lab grown diamonds. I’ve passed it along to friends more times than I can count.

And honestly, if you’re already drawn to a toi et moi design, choosing lab-grown stones feels like the natural next step — personal, intentional, and thoughtful.

Why This Style Works So Well for Custom Rings

One thing I’ve noticed is that couples who choose a two-stone engagement ring usually don’t settle for an off-the-shelf design. They want to tweak it — even just a little — so it feels unmistakably theirs.

• A bespoke toi et moi design lets you:
• choose stones that have personal meaning
• mix different gem shapes or sizes
• decide the orientation (angled, vertical, bypass-style, overlapped)
• pick a setting that suits your lifestyle

incorporate family heirloom stones

• I recently spoke to a woman who designed her ring using her grandmother’s old sapphire paired with a modern emerald-cut diamond. “It felt like bringing the past into the present,” she told me. And that really stuck with me.
• You rarely get that kind of layered sentiment with a mass-produced piece.
• If you’re still exploring options, this curated collection can be a good place to spark ideas: toi et moi engagement rings. It’s not the sort of thing you scroll through once — I’ve seen people go back again and again, screenshotting their favourite combinations until a clear theme emerges.
• The Australian Design Aesthetic (Yes, We Do It Differently)
• Living in Australia, you start to pick up on the subtle national taste in jewellery — understated elegance with a hint of earthy luxe. We love pieces that feel intentional and artisanal, not overly perfect.
• And toi et moi designs fit that ethos beautifully.
• A lot of Australian jewellers lean into organic curves, natural angles, and asymmetry. They don’t try to make the stones look like twins. They let each gem keep its own personality.
• There’s something very Australian about that — a quiet celebration of individuality.

• What to Think About Before Choosing This Style

• While I love this design (honestly, I’m a little biased), it’s important to consider a few practical things:
• 1. How your stones sit day-to-day
• Two stones mean double the edges, so a good jeweller will make sure the setting is smooth enough for everyday wear.
• 2. How it pairs with a wedding band
• This is the trickiest part. Many people opt for a curved or open band so it nestles nicely around the stones.
• 3. Maintenance and checking prongs
• Just like any engagement ring, regular check-ups keep everything secure — particularly in multi-stone designs.
• 4. Whether you prefer matching or contrasting stones
• Some couples love symmetry; others want contrast that tells a story. Neither is wrong — it’s all about what makes the design “feel right.”
• I always tell people: try a few combinations on your hand before deciding. The style that looks best in a photo might surprise you in person.

• Why The Two-Stone Trend Is Probably Here to Stay

• We’ve all seen engagement ring trends that burned bright and fizzled fast — halo settings, celebrity-inspired cushion cuts, overly large solitaires. But the toi et moi design has this sense of timelessness that makes it feel more stable than most modern revivals.
• Maybe it’s the symbolism. Maybe it’s the customisation. Maybe it’s just the simple pleasure of seeing two stones side by side.
• Whatever it is, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
• In fact, if I had to guess, I’d say it’s only going to grow — especially as younger couples prioritise meaningful design over maximum sparkle. And honestly, I find that shift refreshing.

• A Final Thought — Why This Style Resonates So Deeply

• Every time I speak to someone who’s chosen a toi et moi ring, their reason is different. One said it was because she felt “complicated but in a good way.” Another said it reflected how she and her partner were total opposites. Someone else simply liked how the stones seemed to lean toward each other.
• But underneath all those explanations is something simple — connection. Two shapes. Two stones. Two stories.
  And one ring that holds everything together. If there’s one engagement ring style that captures modern relationships — layered, individual, a bit unconventional but deeply loving — it’s this one.