There’s a particular kind of magic in the Toi et Moi ring - that quiet symbolism of two stones, two souls, side by side. It’s not just romantic. It’s deeply human. And for me, it became personal the day I began sketching what would become my signature Toi et Moi design - the Satellite.
The Beginning - From Cocktail to Commitment
The Satellite Toi et Moi ring didn’t begin as a bridal piece. Its roots stretch back to around 2011, when a retail client in Tunbridge Wells said to me, “Andy, I love your engagement rings - but you need to create more cocktail rings.” On the train home to Leeds, pencil in hand, I started sketching.
I remember beginning with a view through the finger of the ring - an unusual way perhaps to approach a design. The image shows the simple form I created along with the gap – and this, believe it or not, eventually became the defining feature of the Satellite Cocktail Ring.
A couple of years later, during a winter break in the Dordogne with my wife and two-year-old son, the Satellite re-emerged. Glass of red wine in hand, log fire roaring, and sketchpad on my knee, I revisited the original concept - this time through the lens of bridal design. From that fireside moment came two rings: the Cannelé (which would become our best-selling engagement ring) and a more refined, wearable, romantic version of the Satellite - the Satellite Toi et Moi.
Born in France, Inspired by Love
I love the fact that my signature Toi et Moi ring - French for “you and me” - was conceived in France. The design itself celebrates partnership. Not just two stones, but two lives. It’s a visual metaphor for connection.
Unlike a solitaire, which places all focus on one, the Toi et Moi is about relationship - dialogue, duality, balance. For a ring that marks the beginning of a life together, what could be more meaningful than a design that literally holds two forms in harmony?
The Signature Style - Contrast, Space, and Tactility
The Satellite Toi et Moi ring is a study in contrast:
- A larger centre stone with significantly smaller halo stones
- A smaller “satellite” stone orbiting the larger
- The larger setting is positioned much higher than the smaller
And between them - space. Not an accidental gap, but a deliberate, sculptural element. A piece of negative space that gives the ring tension and poise. It’s as vital as the diamonds themselves.
This is a ring that’s just as much about feel as it is about form. With its soft curves and silky profile, the Satellite is incredibly comfortable. It’s tactile. Almost edible. A luxurious, sensual piece of art you wear every day.
Crafting Asymmetry - Harmony in Discord
Creating a Toi et Moi ring like the Satellite requires a different mindset. It’s not just placing two stones randomly. The challenge is creating harmony in asymmetry. You’re working with imbalance - and still seeking beauty and flow.
This level of asymmetry demands skill. It’s a sculptural problem. The weight of each stone, the spacing, the curvature of the band - everything has to resolve visually and emotionally. It’s design in its purest form: technical, intuitive, and deeply personal.
Endless Possibilities - Colour, Cut, Symbolism
One of the joys of Toi et Moi design is how expressive it can be. With the Satellite ring, we’ve worked with:
- Brilliant, pear, princess, cushion, and emerald cuts
- Pink sapphires and blue sapphires
- Subtle diamond pairings or bold colour contrasts
Each choice changes the tone of the piece. A client might choose one stone to represent themselves, and the other their partner. Or they might want to symbolise two moments - an engagement and a child’s birth. There’s room for story here. Room for meaning.
Even cut combinations can tell a tale - soft with sharp, classic with modern. You can create harmony or tension through shape, tone, and scale.
The Satellite Ring - Then and Now
Since its creation, the Satellite Toi et Moi has become one of our most loved pieces. We’ve created it in a range of cuts and colours - and had the pleasure of making one for Cerys Matthews from Radio 6 and Catatonia fame!
Each one feels different. Each one feels special.
You can explore the Satellite ring in our collection - or talk to me directly if you'd like to create your own version.
Because in the end, a Toi et Moi ring isn’t just about two stones.
It’s about two people.
